SM and dihydrosphingosine changes in brain tissue after TBI. Sphingolipids were analyzed in brain tissue lysate made from the brain hemisphere ipsilateral to the injury imposed by a control cortical impact device as described under “Experimental Procedures.” Sham-injured animal brain was used as a control (con). A, total SM content was increased in the injured brain tissue. B and C, SM species changes in the injured tissue. D, dihydrosphingosine (DHsphingosine) was increased in the injured brain. Data are means ± S.E. (error bars); *, p < 0.05, n = 16. Each sample was normalized to its respective total protein levels.