Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) Infusion in Human Sepsis

Sepsis Clinical Trial

Official title: Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) Infusion in Human Sepsis

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

The major goal of this project is to determine whether intravenously infused ascorbic acid is safe for use as a viable therapeutic strategy in adult humans with sepsis.

Clinical Trial Description

Evolving data from experimental animals strongly suggests that ascorbic acid potently interrupts multiple biological processes which lead to organ injury following onset of sepsis. Data presented below suggests that ascorbic acid potently attenuates lung injury produced by septic insults. Sepsis and septic shock secondary to bacterial and fungal blood stream infections are a leading cause of death in critically ill patients. At present, 28 day mortality in septic patients averages 40% in the best of ICUs. In sepsis, disseminated intravascular coagulation produces widespread systemic microvascular thrombosis that leads to multiple organ injury (i.e., lung, liver, kidney, intestinal, cardiovascular). Despite aggressive intravascular volume resuscitation and vasopressor support, appropriate antibiotic administration, and expert critical care management, mortality remains high. Only a single agent has been approved to disrupt progressive sepsis-associated microvascular thrombosis (activated protein C, [Drodrecogin Alpha, brand name: Xigris, Lilly]). No other non-antibiotic pharmaceutical agent is currently approved for use in sepsis. Activated protein C (APC) continuous infusion protocol spans a 96 hour period. APC infusion produces significant anticoagulation, and therefore the major risk from its use is hemorrhage. Thus, recent surgery, especially neurosurgical procedures, is a major contraindication to APC use. Finally, cost stands as an important issue for APC use. A 96 hour APC infusion in a 70 kg patient at VCUHS costs the patient over $33,000 (source VCUHS Pharmacy Services). Use of APC in sepsis remains controversial and has failed to achieve widespread acceptance. The goal of the current study is to determine the safety of ascorbic acid infusion in septic humans. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Acute Lung Injury
• Hypotension
• Lung Injury
• Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult
• Sepsis
• Septic Shock
• Shock, Septic
• Toxemia

• NCT number: NCT01434121
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Virginia Commonwealth University
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 1/Phase 2
• Start date: May 2010
• Completion date: September 2012