Abstract: Objective To explore the difference of expression of proteins between the serum and hippocampus after brain injury in rats. Methods Male SD rats were used to establish brain injury model. The changes of proteins expression profile in serum and hippocampus at different time after brain injury were analyzed using weak cationic exchanger （WCX2） chips and immobilized metal affinity capture arrays-Cu （IMAC-Cu） chips by surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Results A total of 436 protein peaks were detected in serum and 346 protein peaks were detected in hippocampus using WCX2 chips. A total of 229 protein peaks were detected in serum and 345 protein peaks were detected in hippocampus using IMAC-Cu chips. The same 10 protein peaks were respectively detected in serum and hippocampus using WCX2 chips. The same 13 protein peaks were respectively detected in serum and hippocampus using IMAC-Cu chips. Conclusion The changes of protein expression profile in serum and hippocampus are obvious after closed brain injury and show a significant difference. The different proteins detected in serum and hippocampus using the same chip could be biochemical markers for determining brain injury.

Key words: forensic genetics, brain injury, serum, hippocampus, protein chip, rats