Active clinical trials for "Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome"

The investigators hypothesize that the investigators can detect protein-sparing effects of administration of the ketone 3-hydroxybutyrate and free fatty acids during simulation of an acute inflammatory disease. The investigators use the infusion of endotoxin, US standard reference E.coli in healthy subjects as a model for inflammation / infection and to evaluate the effect on protein metabolism using different tracers and the investigators can measure the various intracellular signaling pathways of selected muscle and adipose tissue.

Critical illness, severe infection, extensive trauma or tissue damage cause an inflammatory (irritative) reaction in the body. This reaction affects the whole body and causes malaise, circulatory and cardiac changes, fever, increases the number of white blood cells in the blood stream and prompts release of signaling proteins. This reaction contributes to the development of considerable organ damage and possibly organ failure. These are serious complications in critical illness which are associated with a high mortality. This inflammatory reaction is affected by the autonomic nervous system. This is the part of the nervous system, which is beyond the control of the free will, and the part that regulates circulation, breathing and digestive functions. The autonomic nervous system works via so-called sympathetic signals, which set the body in a state of alertness to overcome immediate challenges, and parasympathetic (vagal) signals, which are especially active during restitution and rest. It is known, that the balanced activity in the autonomic nervous system affects the body's inflammatory response in critical illness. A study in mice has shown that if parasympathetic (vagal) signals are blocked mortality in critical illness is increased. Reversely, when the autonomic nervous system is medically stimulated towards parasympathetic signaling, the magnitude of the inflammatory response is decreased. Nicotine exerts this stimulatory effect. Also, we know that individuals in good physical shape have increased parasympathetic tone compared to less trained individuals. However, studies have never addressed whether this shifted balance in the autonomic nervous system affects the inflammatory response related to critical illness. Over the last 30 years an experimental model mimicking the inflammatory response has been used in studies. Inflammation may be simulated by injecting the drug E.Coli LPS, which induces a controlled, fully reversible, harmless reaction the duration of which is a few hours. Influenza-like symptoms occur and changes in circulatory parameters and concentrations of signaling proteins can be measured. Using this experimental model, the investigators wish to study whether this shifted balance in the autonomic nervous system in individuals in good physical shape affects the body's reaction to critical illness. Investigators also want to determine how nicotine (using a nicotine patch) affects this reaction.

Cardiac surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) initiate a whole-body systemic inflammatory response (SIRS) characterized by the activation of leukocytes, monocytes, and the complement cascade. Multiple mediators of the inflammatory process are released, including cytokines, endothelin, adhesion molecules, and oxygen free radicals. An exaggerated release of these mediators may contribute to numerous postoperative end-organ complications, including myocardial dysfunction, neurologic impairment, respiratory failure, altered renal and hepatic function, bleeding disorders, and multiple organ failure. Although most cardiac surgical patients do not experience major adverse events, it is likely that the inflammatory response impairs clinical recovery to some degree in all patients. A large number of therapeutic strategies have been developed to attenuate the inflammatory reaction to CPB and thereby enhance recovery of the cardiac surgical patient. Intraoperative corticosteroid administration has been studied extensively as a primary pharmacologic anti-inflammatory treatment option.

The FEDOX trial is a prospective randomized clinical trial exploring oxidative stress as a mechanism of harm to explain the negative outcomes found in feeding trials that achieved caloric exposure commensurate with the nationally recommended guidelines. Due to its impact on energy metabolism, we will also explore low T3 syndrome's relationship to this mechanism. Finally, we will explore circadian patterns of diurnal/nocturnal TSH fluctuation as a potential biomarker to indicate this mechanism of harm has subsided. This 7-day prospective randomized clinical trial is designed to address the following specific aims (SA) in ICU patients (n=40) with systemic inflammatory response syndrome. SA1) Determine whether provision of enteral nutrition (EN) at 100% of levels in Nationally Recommended Guidelines NRG (25-30 kcals/kg, 100%NRG) early in critical illness increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) production compared to EN at 40% of NRG levels (10-12 kcals/kg, 40%NRG). Subjects will be fasted overnight and randomized to receive either 100% NRG or 40%NRG for 7 days. Plasma F2-isoprostanes will be measured daily and compared between groups through repeated measures analysis. SA2) Determine if EN at 100%NRG interrupts the critical illness induced low T3 syndrome and subsequently further increases the ROS production compared to 40%NRG. Serum thyroid parameters (T3, T4, rT3, TSH) with be measured daily and compared between groups as above. Mediation analysis will be used to determine the proportion of the effect of nutrition group on F2-isoprostane production explained by each thyroid parameter. SA3) Determine if the return of diurnal/noctural fluctuations in TSH is associated with decreased nutrition-induced ROS production. Plasma TSH will be measured twice per day at 0300 and 1800hrs to determine TSH fluctuation. The interaction effect between TSH fluctuation and nutrition group on F2-isoprostane production will be assessed through repeated measures analysis. This study provides vital mechanistic insight into the impact of feeding on oxidative stress during the first week of critical illness, represents an important first step in determining the safest timing and dosage of nutrition support, and sets the foundation for future larger clinical trials on these topics.

Objectives: To study the short- and long-term effect of two different PaO2 targets on circulatory status, organ dysfunction and outcome in patient admitted to the ICU with Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) criteria. To study underlying mechanisms of hyperoxia by determining differences in oxidative stress response between the hyperoxic and the normoxic patients. Study design: Randomized, prospective multicentre clinical trial Study population: Patients admitted to the Intensive Care unit with ≥ 2 positive SIRS-criteria and an expected ICU stay of more than 48 hours Intervention: Group 1: target PaO2 120 (105 - 135) mmHg (high-normal) Group 2: target PaO2 75 (60 - 90) mmHg (low-normal) Primary endpoints: The primary endpoint will be cumulative daily delta SOFA score (CDDS) from day 1 to day 14.

EA-230 is a newly developed synthetic compound with anti-inflammatory properties, it is a linear tetrapeptide derived from the human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (hCG). Recently, its immunomodulatory effects in humans were confirmed in a phase I trial and an optimal dose was established. To establish this anti-inflammatory effect in a selected patient population and assess clinical outcome, a combined phase IIa/IIb trial will be conducted with patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Septic shock is associated with substantial burden in terms of both mortality and morbidity for survivors of this illness. Pre-clinical sepsis studies suggest that mesenchymal stem (stromal) cells may modulate inflammation, enhance pathogen clearance and tissue repair and reduce death. Our team has completed a Phase I dose escalation and safety clinical trial that evaluated mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in patients with septic shock. The Cellular Immunotherapy for Septic Shock (CISS) trial established that MSCs appear safe and that a randomized controlled trial (RCT) is feasible. Based on these data, the investigators have planned a phase II RCT (CISS2) at several Canadian academic centres which will evaluate safety, signals for clinical efficacy, and continue to examine potential mechanisms of action and biological effects of MSCs in septic shock.

It is clearly shown that patients in the Intensive care Unit (ICU) with severe sepsis or multi organic failure are very susceptible to develop neuromuscular complications. That can be attributed to a hyper catabolic state, general inflammation and immobilization. This can leads a significant muscle wasting, polyneuropathy and/or myopathy. These alterations have been defined with the term Intensive Care Acquired Weakness (ICUAW) and can leads important functional squeals and impaired quality of life for months, years and in some cases irreversibly. To overcome these complications, early activation by physiotherapy becomes an important tool. This type of treatment has been show to be feasible, safe and improves the functional capacity of patients. In addition to a reduction in the duration of ICU and hospital stay and improved quality of life for patients. The objective of this study is to demonstrate that the early and active physical activity in patients with severe sepsis can limit the loss of muscle mass and complications related to this type of damage. Procedures: Patients or relatives will be asked to participate in the study. If a positive response is done, patients will be randomized in an intervention or control group. A baseline evaluation will be performed during the first day of study admission. That includes a physical exploration, electrophysiological studies, skeletal muscle histological/biochemical evaluations and monitoring of blood biomarkers and others clinical outcomes will be registered. Intervention will be divided in a morning and afternoon times, patient will be positioned in chair or bed and mobilized by physiotherapist. As usual, all patients will be attaining manual mobilization for 20 minutes twice a day. Only for intervention group, additional cycle-ergometer exercise will be performed for 30 minutes at better performance achieved and tolerated for patient. All vitals parameters will be strictly controlled before, during and after intervention. The same baseline evaluation will be repeated after day 7 and clinical outcomes will be registered until ICU discharge.

Critically ill babies less than 1 month of age have deficient amounts of the antioxidant glutathione and a high incidence of disease associated with oxidative injury compared to healthy babies. These diseases include but are not limited to damage to the eyes, lungs, and intestines. Frequently becoming chronic and potentially life threatening, these diseases result in a significantly decreased quality of life to the infant along with increased costs to the infant's family and society. The amino acid cysteine comprises a third of the tripeptide glutathione and directly influences glutathione production. Older children ill with infection and stable, premature neonates administered cysteine supplementation to their diet have been previously shown to increase their glutathione production and concentrations. Furthermore, cysteine supplementation in the ill children resulted in a quicker resolution of their illness. Although most critically ill babies require IV nutrition (i.e., TPN) before and during their illness, commercially available TPN does not include cysteine as a significant nutrient. Cysteine has effectively become a safe and standard supplement to routine TPN in a few major hospitals in the U.S. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the ability of cysteine supplementation to increase glutathione production and concentrations in critically ill babies. Furthermore, the investigators want to evaluate whether cysteine supplementation results in less oxidative tissue injury and ultimately less severe illnesses. The study will enroll babies admitted to the UCLA Medical Center Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and they will be chosen at random and in a blinded fashion to receive either cysteine or non-cysteine supplementation to their routine TPN. Small blood samples along with a single 6 hour infusion of a non-radioactive, stable isotope labeled amino acid will be used to measure the production of glutathione as well as other compounds in the blood to give a quantitative assessment to the severity of illness. Clinical information relevant to the babies' illness and subsequent recovery will be recorded. The results will be compared between cysteine vs. non-cysteine groups and before vs. after individual supplementation. By demonstrating the effect of cysteine supplementation on glutathione production, the incidence and/or severity of disease from oxidative injury in critically ill babies may be decreased if glutathione production is improved.

Brief Summary Cerebral Autoregulation is a well known physiological response to blood pressure changes to maintain the cerebral perfusion. The critically ill patients are submitted to different situations that can impair the cerebral autoregulation as sepsis, sedation drugs and mechanical ventilation. The delirium on ICU has been described as a bad prognosis factor, increasing the mortality and length of stay. The physiopathology of delirium has been related to cerebral perfusion. The delirium has been related to long term cognitive impairment. Material and Methods: This is a physiological prospective study that will be done in a 14 bed medical-surgical ICU. The investigators will enroll 100 ventilated patients, septic and non-septic. The investigators will measure cerebral autoregulation every 48-72 hours from admission on ICU. Neurological biomarkers (Neurological Specific Enolase, S100 beta and Vascular Endothelial Growing Factor) will be done at inclusion, 72 hours and 7 days. Clinical data, delirium presence, analytic data and ventilatory parameters will be registered every day. At hospital discharge, a psychologist will do a cognitive evaluation using specific tests. The cognitive evaluation will be repeated at 3, 6 and 12 months. Anticipate results: Some items like mechanical ventilation, sepsis and sedation can impair cerebral autoregulation. The impairment of cerebral autoregulation is related to delirium in ICU and long cognitive impairment.