Ascorbic acid attenuates endothelial permeability triggered by cell-free hemoglobin

Succinate Regulates Endothelial Mitochondrial Function and Barrier Integrity

Endothelial dysfunction is a hallmark of several pathological conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease and inflammatory disorders. In these conditions, perturbed TCA cycle and subsequent succinate accumulation have been reported. The role of succinate as a regulator of immunological responses and inflammation is increasingly being recognized. Nevertheless, how endothelial cell function and phenotype are altered by elevated intracellular succinate has not been addressed yet. Thus, we employed numerous in vitro functional assays using primary HUVECs and diethyl succinate (DES), a cell membrane-permeable succinate analogue. An MTS assay 1 h post stimulation with DES suggested reduced metabolic activity in HUVECs. Concurrently, elevated production of ROS, including mitochondrial superoxide, and a reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential were observed. These findings were corroborated by Seahorse mito-stress testing, which revealed that DES acutely lowered the OCR, maximal respiration and ATP production. Given the link between mitochondrial stress and apoptosis, we examined important survival signalling pathways. DES transiently reduced ERK1/2 phosphorylation, a response that was followed by a skewed pro-apoptotic shift in the BAX to BCL2L1 gene expression ratio, which coincided with upregulating VEGF gene expression. This indicated an induction of mixed pro-apoptotic and pro-survival signals in the cell. However, the BAX/BCL-XL protein ratio was unchanged, suggesting that the cells did not commit themselves to apoptosis. An MTS assay, caspase 3/7 activity assay and annexin V/propidium iodide staining confirmed this finding. By contrast, stimulation with DES induced acute endothelial barrier permeability, forming intercellular gaps, altering cell size and associated actin filaments without affecting cell count. Notably, during overnight DES exposure gradual recovery of the endothelial barrier and cell sprouting was observed, alongside mitochondrial membrane potential restoration, albeit with sustained ROS production. COX-2 inhibition and EP4 receptor blockade hindered barrier restoration, implicating a role of COX-2/PGE2/EP4 signalling in this process. Interestingly, ascorbic acid pre-treatment prevented DES-induced acute barrier disruption independently from ROS modulation. In conclusion, succinate acts as a significant regulator of endothelial mitochondrial function and barrier integrity, a response that is counterbalanced by upregulated VEGF and prostaglandin production by the endothelial cells.

Cellular Mechanisms of Lung Injury: Current Perspectives

The alveolar-capillary barrier includes microvascular endothelial and alveolar epithelial cells and their matrices, and its disruption is a critical driver of lung injury during development of acute respiratory distress syndrome. In this review, we provide an overview of the structure and function of the alveolar-capillary barrier during health and highlight several important signaling mechanisms that underlie endothelial and epithelial injury during critical illness, emphasizing areas with potential for development of therapeutic strategies targeting alveolar-capillary leak. We also emphasize the importance of biomarker and preclinical studies in developing novel therapies and highlight important areas warranting future investigation.

Feasibility of intravenous vitamin C supplementation in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients

Introduction

Intravenous vitamin C was administered following hematopoietic stem cell transplant to mitigate nonrelapse mortality (NRM) in a Phase II clinical trial.

Methods

Patients with advanced hematologic malignancies received IV vitamin C, 50 mg/kg/day, in three divided doses on days 1-14 after HSCT, followed by 500 mg bid oral until 6 months.

Results

All patients enrolled (55) were deficient in vitamin C at day 0 and had restoration to normal levels. Vitamin C recipients had a trend for lower nonrelapse mortality (NRM, 11% vs. 25%, p-value = 0.07) compared with propensity score-matched historical controls. A similar trend toward improved survival was observed (82% vs. 62% p = 0.06), with no attributable grade 3 and 4 toxicities to vitamin C.

Conclusion

In patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT, repletion of vitamin C is feasible and may reduce NRM and improve overall survival. Randomized trials in large uniform cohorts of patients are needed to confirm the utility of this easily available and inexpensive therapy.

Major endothelial damage markers identified from hemadsorption filters derived from treated patients with septic shock - endoplasmic reticulum stress and bikunin may play a role

Introduction

In septic patients the damage of the endothelial barrier is decisive leading to circulatory septic shock with disseminated vascular coagulation, edema and multiorgan failure. Hemadsorption therapy leads to rapid resolution of clinical symptoms. We propose that the isolation of proteins adsorbed to hemadsorption devices contributes to the identification of mediators responsible for endothelial barrier dysfunction.

Material and methods

Plasma materials enriched to hemadsorption filters (CytoSorb®) after therapy of patients in septic shock were fractionated and functionally characterized for their effect on cell integrity, viability, proliferation and ROS formation by human endothelial cells. Fractions were further studied for their contents of oxidized nucleic acids as well as peptides and proteins by mass spectrometry.

Results

Individual fractions exhibited a strong effect on endothelial cell viability, the endothelial layer morphology, and ROS formation. Fractions with high amounts of DNA and oxidized DNA correlated with ROS formation in the target endothelium. In addition, defined proteins such as defensins (HNP-1), SAA1, CXCL7, and the peptide bikunin were linked to the strongest additive effects in endothelial damage.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that hemadsorption is efficient to transiently remove strong endothelial damage mediators from the blood of patients with septic shock, which explains a rapid clinical improvement of inflammation and endothelial function. The current work indicates that a combination of stressors leads to the most detrimental effects. Oxidized ssDNA, likely derived from mitochondria, SAA1, the chemokine CXCL7 and the human neutrophil peptide alpha-defensin 1 (HNP-1) were unique for their significant negative effect on endothelial cell viability. However, the strongest damage effect occurred, when, bikunin - cleaved off from alpha-1-microglobulin was present in high relative amounts (>65%) of protein contents in the most active fraction. Thus, a relevant combination of stressors appears to be removed by hemadsorption therapy which results in fulminant and rapid, though only transient, clinical restitution.

Cell-Free Hemoglobin in the Pathophysiology of Trauma: A Scoping Review

OBJECTIVES

Cell-free hemoglobin (CFH) is a potent mediator of endothelial dysfunction, organ injury, coagulopathy, and immunomodulation in hemolysis. These mechanisms have been demonstrated in patients with sepsis, hemoglobinopathies, and those receiving transfusions. However, less is known about the role of CFH in the pathophysiology of trauma, despite the release of equivalent levels of free hemoglobin.

DATA SOURCES

Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, and BIOSIS Previews were searched up to January 21, 2023, using key terms related to free hemoglobin and trauma.

DATA EXTRACTION

Two independent reviewers selected studies focused on hemolysis in trauma patients, hemoglobin breakdown products, hemoglobin-mediated injury in trauma, transfusion, sepsis, or therapeutics.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Data from the selected studies and their references were synthesized into a narrative review.

CONCLUSIONS

Free hemoglobin likely plays a role in endothelial dysfunction, organ injury, coagulopathy, and immune dysfunction in polytrauma. This is a compelling area of investigation as multiple existing therapeutics effectively block these pathways.

Vitamin C: Rationale for Its Use in Sepsis-Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening event that occurs in patients suffering from bacterial, fungal, or viral sepsis. Research performed over the last five decades showed that ARDS is a consequence of severe unrestrained systemic inflammation, which leads to injury of the lung's microvasculature and alveolar epithelium. ARDS leads to acute hypoxic/hypercapnic respiratory failure and death in a significant number of patients hospitalized in intensive care units worldwide. Basic and clinical research performed during the time since ARDS was first described has been unable to construct a pharmacological agent that will combat the inflammatory fire leading to ARDS. In-depth studies of the molecular pharmacology of vitamin C indicate that it can serve as a potent anti-inflammatory agent capable of attenuating the pathobiological events that lead to acute injury of the lungs and other body organs. This analysis of vitamin C's role in the treatment of ARDS includes a focused systematic review of the literature relevant to the molecular physiology of vitamin C and to the past performance of clinical trials using the agent.

INTRAVENOUS VITAMIN C SUPPLEMENTATION IN ALLOGENEIC HEMATOPOIETIC CELL TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS: SALUTARY IMPACT ON CLINICAL OUTCOMES

Intravenous (IV) vitamin C improves organ function and reduces inflammation in sepsis, an inflammatory state like the post-hematopoietic stem cell transplant (SCT) milieu. The safety and efficacy of parenteral vitamin C after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) were evaluated in a phase I/II trial and clinical outcomes compared with a propensity score - matched historical control.

Methods

Patients with advanced hematologic malignancies were enrolled in a phase 2 clinical trial, receiving IV vitamin C, 50mg/kg/d, divided into 3 doses given on days 1-14 after HSCT, followed by 500 mg bid oral from day 15 until 6 months post-SCT.

Results

55 patients received IV vitamin C: these include 10/10 HLA-MRD and MUD (n=48) and 9/10 HLA MUD recipients (n=7). All patients enrolled were deficient in vitamin C at day 0 and had restoration to normal levels for the remainder of the course. Vitamin C recipients had lower non-relapse mortality (11% vs. 25%, p-value = 0.07) and consequently, improved survival compared to historical controls (82% vs 62% p=0.06), with no attributable grade 3 and 4 toxicities to vitamin C. Patients with myeloid malignancies had improved survival (83% vs. 54%, p=0.02) and non-relapse mortality (NRM) (10% vs. 37%, p=0.009), as well as chronic GVHD, with similar relapse rates compared to controls.

Conclusions

In patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT the administration of IV vitamin C is safe and reduces non-relapse mortality improving overall survival. Randomized trials are needed to confirm the utility of this easily available and inexpensive therapy.

Epigenomics in aortic dissection: From mechanism to therapeutics

Aortic dissection (AD) has an unfavorable prognosis. It requires early diagnosis, appropriate treatment strategies, and suspicion to recognize symptoms; thus, it is commonly described as an acute aortic emergency. The clinical manifestations of painless AD are complex and variable. However, there is no effective treatment to prevent the progression of AD. Therefore, study of the molecular targets and mechanisms of AD to enable prevention or early intervention is particularly important. Although multiple gene mutations have been proposed as linked to AD development, evidence that multiple epigenetic elements are strongly associated is steadily increasing. These epigenetic processes include DNA methylation, N6-methyladenosine, histone modification, non-histone posttranslational modification, and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). Among these processes, resveratrol targeting Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), 5-azacytidine (5azaC) targeting DNA methyltransferase (DNMT), and vitamin C targeting ten-eleven translocation 2 (Tet2) showed unique advantages in improving AD and vascular dysfunction. Finally, we explored potential epigenetic drugs and diagnostic methods for AD, which might provide options for the future.

Ascorbate protects human kidney organoids from damage induced by cell-free hemoglobin

Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury is associated with high morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. Cell-free hemoglobin (CFH) is released into the circulation of patients with severe sepsis and the levels of CFH are independently associated with mortality. CFH treatment increased cytotoxicity in the human tubular epithelial cell line HK-2. To better model the intact kidney, we cultured human kidney organoids derived from induced pluripotent stem cells. We treated human kidney organoids grown using both three-dimensional and transwell protocols with CFH for 48 h. We found evidence for increased tubular toxicity, oxidative stress, mitochondrial fragmentation, endothelial cell injury and injury-associated transcripts compared to those of the untreated control group. To evaluate the protective effect of clinically available small molecules, we co-treated CFH-injured organoids with ascorbate (vitamin C) or acetaminophen for 48 h. We found significantly decreased toxicity, preservation of endothelial cells and reduced mitochondrial fragmentation in the group receiving ascorbate following CFH treatment. This study provides direct evidence that ascorbate or ascorbic acid protects human kidney cells from CFH-induced damage such as that in sepsis-associated acute kidney injury.

Intravenous Vitamin C Supplementation in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients: Salutary Impact on Clinical Outcomes

Intravenous (IV) vitamin C improves organ function and reduces inflammation in sepsis, an inflammatory state like the post-hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) milieu. The safety and efficacy of parenteral vitamin C after allogeneic HCT were evaluated in a phase I/II trial. Clinical outcomes were compared with a propensity score - matched historical control.

Methods

Patients with advanced hematologic malignancies received IV vitamin C, 50mg/kg/d, divided into 3 doses given on days 1-14 after HCT, followed by 500 mg bid oral from day 15 until 6 months post-SCT.

Results

55 patients received IV vitamin C. All patients were deficient in vitamin C at day 0. Vitamin C recipients had lower non-relapse mortality (NRM) (p = 0.07) and improved survival compared to historical controls (p=0.06), with no attributable grade 3 and 4 toxicities. Vitamin C recipients had similar relapse rate and acute graft versus host disease (GVHD) (p=0.35), but lower severe chronic GVHD (p=0.35). Patients with myeloid malignancies had improved survival (p=0.02) and NRM (p=0.009), as well as chronic GVHD, with similar relapse rates compared to controls.

Conclusions

In patients undergoing allogeneic HCT the administration of IV vitamin C is safe and reduces non-relapse mortality and chronic GVHD improving overall survival.

LPA2 Alleviates Septic Acute Lung Injury via Protective Endothelial Barrier Function Through Activation of PLC-PKC-FAK

Background

Increased endothelial permeability of pulmonary vessels is a primary pathological characteristic of septic acute lung injury (ALI). Previously, elevated lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) levels and LPA2 (an LPA receptor) expression have been found in the peripheral blood and lungs of septic mice, respectively. However, the specific role of LPA2 in septic ALI remains unclear.

Methods

A lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced model of sepsis was established in wild-type (WT) and global LPA2 knockout (Lpar2-/-) mice. We examined mortality, lung injury, assessed endothelial permeability through Evans blue dye (EBD) assay in vivo, and transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) of mouse lung microvascular endothelial cells (MLMECs) in vitro. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), histopathological, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot were employed to investigate the role of LPA2 in septic ALI.

Results

Lpar2 deficiency increased vascular endothelial permeability, impaired lung injury, and increased mortality. Histological examination revealed aggravated inflammation, edema, hemorrhage and alveolar septal thickening in the lungs of septic Lpar2-/- mice. In vitro, loss of Lpar2 resulted in increased permeability of MLMECs. Pharmacological activation of LPA2 by the agonist DBIBB led to significantly reduced inflammation, edema and hemorrhage, as well as increased expression of the vascular endothelial tight junction (TJ) protein zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and claudin-5, as well as the adheren junction (AJ) protein VE-cadherin. Moreover, DBIBB treatment was found to alleviate mortality by protecting against vascular endothelial permeability. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that vascular endothelial permeability was alleviated through LPA-LPA2 signaling via the PLC-PKC-FAK pathway.

Conclusion

These data provide a novel mechanism of endothelial barrier protection via PLC-PKC-FAK pathway and suggest that LPA2 may contribute to the therapeutic effects of septic ALI.

Changes in hemoglobin oxidation and band 3 during blood storage impact oxygen sensing and mitochondrial bioenergetic pathways in the human pulmonary arterial endothelial cell model

Red blood cells (RBCs) undergo metabolic, oxidative, and physiological changes during storage, collectively described as the "storage lesion." The impact of storage on oxygen homeostasis, following transfusion, is not fully understood. We show that RBC storage induces changes in oxygen binding that were linked to changes in oxygen sensing (hypoxia-inducible factor, HIF-1α) mechanisms and mitochondrial respiration in human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (HPAECs). A decrease in oxygen affinity (P50) to approximately 20 from 30 mmHg was seen at the first week but remained unchanged for up to 42 days. This led to the suppression of HIF-1α in the first 3 weeks due to limited oxygen supplies by RBCs. Furthermore, membrane oxidative damage, band 3 alterations, and subsequent microparticle (MP) formation were also noted. Mass spectrometric analysis revealed the upregulation of transitional endoplasmic reticulum ATPase, essential for clearing ROS-damaged membrane proteins and the protein DDI1 homolog, a proteasomal shuttle chaperone. Band 3 complex proteins and superoxide dismutase were among the downregulated proteins. Mitochondrial oxygen consumption rates measured in HPAECs incubated with RBC-derived MPs (14-day and 42-day) showed a rise in maximal respiration. Intervention strategies that target intracellular hemoglobin (Hb)'s redox transitions and membrane changes may lead to the reestablishment of oxygen homeostasis in old RBCs.

Effects of sevoflurane on lung epithelial permeability in experimental models of acute respiratory distress syndrome

BACKGROUND

Preclinical studies in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) have suggested that inhaled sevoflurane may have lung-protective effects and clinical trials are ongoing to assess its impact on major clinical outcomes in patients with ARDS. However, the underlying mechanisms of these potential benefits are largely unknown. This investigation focused on the effects of sevoflurane on lung permeability changes after sterile injury and the possible associated mechanisms.

METHODS

To investigate whether sevoflurane could decrease lung alveolar epithelial permeability through the Ras homolog family member A (RhoA)/phospho-Myosin Light Chain 2 (Ser19) (pMLC)/filamentous (F)-actin pathway and whether the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) may mediate these effects. Lung permeability was assessed in RAGE^-/- and littermate wild-type C57BL/6JRj mice on days 0, 1, 2, and 4 after acid injury, alone or followed by exposure at 1% sevoflurane. Cell permeability of mouse lung epithelial cells was assessed after treatment with cytomix (a mixture of TNFɑ, IL-1β, and IFNγ) and/or RAGE antagonist peptide (RAP), alone or followed by exposure at 1% sevoflurane. Levels of zonula occludens-1, E-cadherin, and pMLC were quantified, along with F-actin immunostaining, in both models. RhoA activity was assessed in vitro.

RESULTS

In mice after acid injury, sevoflurane was associated with better arterial oxygenation, decreased alveolar inflammation and histological damage, and non-significantly attenuated the increase in lung permeability. Preserved protein expression of zonula occludens-1 and less increase of pMLC and actin cytoskeletal rearrangement were observed in injured mice treated with sevoflurane. In vitro, sevoflurane markedly decreased electrical resistance and cytokine release of MLE-12 cells, which was associated with higher protein expression of zonula occludens-1. Improved oxygenation levels and attenuated increase in lung permeability and inflammatory response were observed in RAGE^-/- mice compared to wild-type mice, but RAGE deletion did not influence the effects of sevoflurane on permeability indices after injury. However, the beneficial effect of sevoflurane previously observed in wild-type mice on day 1 after injury in terms of higher PaO₂/FiO₂ and decreased alveolar levels of cytokines was not found in RAGE^-/- mice. In vitro, RAP alleviated some of the beneficial effects of sevoflurane on electrical resistance and cytoskeletal rearrangement, which was associated with decreased cytomix-induced RhoA activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Sevoflurane decreased injury and restored epithelial barrier function in two in vivo and in vitro models of sterile lung injury, which was associated with increased expression of junction proteins and decreased actin cytoskeletal rearrangement. In vitro findings suggest that sevoflurane may decrease lung epithelial permeability through the RhoA/pMLC/F-actin pathway.

Carboxyhemoglobin (COHb): Unavoidable Bystander or Protective Player?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a cytoprotective endogenous gas that is ubiquitously produced by the stress response enzyme heme-oxygenase. Being a gas, CO rapidly diffuses through tissues and binds to hemoglobin (Hb) increasing carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels. COHb can be formed in erythrocytes or in plasma from cell-free Hb. Herein, it is discussed as to whether endogenous COHb is an innocuous and inevitable metabolic waste product or not, and it is hypothesized that COHb has a biological role. In the present review, literature data are presented to support this hypothesis based on two main premises: (i) there is no direct correlation between COHb levels and CO toxicity, and (ii) COHb seems to have a direct cytoprotective and antioxidant role in erythrocytes and in hemorrhagic models in vivo. Moreover, CO is also an antioxidant by generating COHb, which protects against the pro-oxidant damaging effects of cell-free Hb. Up to now, COHb has been considered as a sink for both exogenous and endogenous CO generated during CO intoxication or heme metabolism, respectively. Hallmarking COHb as an important molecule with a biological (and eventually beneficial) role is a turning point in CO biology research, namely in CO intoxication and CO cytoprotection.

Hemoglobin increases leukocyte adhesion and initiates lung microvascular endothelial activation via Toll-like receptor 4 signaling

Cell-free hemoglobin is a pathophysiological driver of endothelial injury during sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), but the precise mechanisms are not fully understood. We hypothesized that hemoglobin (Hb) increases leukocyte adhesion and endothelial activation in human lung microvascular endothelial cells (HLMVEC). We stimulated primary HLMVEC, or leukocytes isolated from healthy human donors, with Hb (0.5 mg/mL) and found that leukocyte adhesion to lung endothelium in response to Hb is an endothelial-dependent process. Next, we stimulated HLMVEC with Hb over time (1, 3, 6, and 24 h) and found increased transcription and release of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-8, and IL-6). In addition, Hb exposure variably upregulated transcription, total protein expression, and cell-surface localization of adhesion molecules E-selectin, P-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). Since VCAM-1 was most upregulated by Hb, we further tested mechanisms for Hb-mediated upregulation of VCAM-1 in HLMVEC. Although upregulation of VCAM-1 was not prevented by hemoglobin scavenger haptoglobin, heme scavenger hemopexin, or inhibition of nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) signaling, blocking Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) with small molecule inhibitor TAK-242 (1 µM) prevented upregulation of VCAM-1 in response to Hb. Consistently, Hb increased nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), which were both prevented by TLR4 inhibition. Together, these data demonstrate that Hb increases leukocyte-endothelial adhesion and activates HLMVEC through TLR4 signaling, indicating a potential mechanism for Hb-mediated pulmonary vascular injury during inflammatory and hemolytic conditions.

Association of Vitamin C, Thiamine, and Hydrocortisone Infusion With Long-term Cognitive, Psychological, and Functional Outcomes in Sepsis Survivors: A Secondary Analysis of the Vitamin C, Thiamine, and Steroids in Sepsis Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Sepsis is associated with long-term cognitive impairment and worse psychological and functional outcomes. Potential mechanisms include intracerebral oxidative stress and inflammation, yet little is known about the effects of early antioxidant and anti-inflammatory therapy on cognitive, psychological, and functional outcomes in sepsis survivors.

Objective

To describe observed differences in long-term cognitive, psychological, and functional outcomes of vitamin C, thiamine, and hydrocortisone between the intervention and control groups in the Vitamin C, Thiamine, and Steroids in Sepsis (VICTAS) randomized clinical trial.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This prespecified secondary analysis reports the 6-month outcomes of the multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled VICTAS randomized clinical trial, which was conducted between August 2018 and July 2019. Adult patients with sepsis-induced respiratory and/or cardiovascular dysfunction who survived to discharge or day 30 were recruited from 43 intensive care units in the US. Participants were randomized 1:1 to either the intervention or control group. Cognitive, psychological, and functional outcomes at 6 months after randomization were assessed via telephone through January 2020. Data analyses were conducted between February 2021 and December 2022.

Interventions

The intervention group received intravenous vitamin C (1.5 g), thiamine hydrochloride (100 mg), and hydrocortisone sodium succinate (50 mg) every 6 hours for 96 hours or until death or intensive care unit discharge. The control group received matching placebo.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Cognitive performance, risk of posttraumatic stress disorder and depression, and functional status were assessed using a battery of standardized instruments that were administered during a 1-hour telephone call 6 months after randomization.

Results

After exclusions, withdrawals, and deaths, the final sample included 213 participants (median [IQR] age, 57 [47-67] years; 112 males [52.6%]) who underwent long-term outcomes assessment and had been randomized to either the intervention group (n = 108) or control group (n = 105). The intervention group had lower immediate memory scores (adjusted OR [aOR], 0.49; 95% CI, 0.26-0.89), higher odds of posttraumatic stress disorder (aOR, 3.51; 95% CI, 1.18-10.40), and lower odds of receiving mental health care (aOR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.16-0.89). No other statistically significant differences in cognitive, psychological, and functional outcomes were found between the 2 groups.

Conclusions and Relevance

In survivors of sepsis, treatment with vitamin C, thiamine, and hydrocortisone did not improve or had worse cognitive, psychological, and functional outcomes at 6 months compared with patients who received placebo. These findings challenge the hypothesis that antioxidant and anti-inflammatory therapy during critical illness mitigates the development of long-term cognitive, psychological, and functional impairment in sepsis survivors.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03509350.

Endogenous humoral determinants of vascular endothelial dysfunction as triggers of acute poisoning complications

The vascular endothelium is not only the semipermeable membrane that separates tissue from blood but also an organ that regulates inflammation, vascular tone, blood clotting, angiogenesis and synthesis of connective tissue proteins. It is susceptible to the direct cytotoxic action of numerous xenobiotics and to the acute hypoxia that accompanies acute poisoning. This damage is superimposed on the preformed state of the vascular endothelium, which, in turn, depends on many humoral factors. The probability that an exogenous toxicant will cause life-threatening dysfunction of the vascular endothelium, thereby complicating the course of acute poisoning, increases with an increase in the content of endogenous substances in the blood that disrupt endothelial function. These include ammonia, bacterial endotoxin, indoxyl sulfate, para-cresyl sulfate, trimethylamine N-oxide, asymmetric dimethylarginine, glucose, homocysteine, low-density and very-low-density lipoproteins, free fatty acids and products of intravascular haemolysis. Some other endogenous substances (albumin, haptoglobin, haemopexin, biliverdin, bilirubin, tetrahydrobiopterin) or food-derived compounds (ascorbic acid, rutin, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, etc.) reduce the risk of lethal vascular endothelial dysfunction. The individual variability of the content of these substances in the blood contributes to the stochasticity of the complications of acute poisoning and is a promising target for the risk reduction measures. Another feasible option may be the repositioning of drugs that affect the function of the vascular endothelium while being currently used for other indications.

Ultraviolet light oxidation of fresh hemoglobin eliminates aggregate formation seen in commercially sourced hemoglobin

Elevated levels of circulating cell-free hemoglobin (CFH) are an integral feature of several clinical conditions including sickle cell anemia, sepsis, hemodialysis and cardiopulmonary bypass. Oxidized (Fe3+, ferric) hemoglobin contributes to the pathophysiology of these disease states and is therefore widely studied in experimental models, many of which use commercially sourced CFH. In this study, we treated human endothelial cells with commercially sourced ferric hemoglobin and observed the appearance of dense cytoplasmic aggregates (CAgg) over time. These CAgg were intensely autofluorescent, altered intracellular structures (such as mitochondria), formed in multiple cell types and with different media composition, and formed regardless of the presence or absence of cells. An in-depth chemical analysis of these CAgg revealed that they contain inorganic components and are not pure hemoglobin. To oxidize freshly isolated hemoglobin without addition of an oxidizing agent, we developed a novel method to convert ferrous CFH to ferric CFH using ultraviolet light without the need for additional redox agents. Unlike commercial ferric hemoglobin, treatment of cells with the fresh ferric hemoglobin did not lead to CAgg formation. These studies suggest that commercially sourced CFH may contain stabilizers and additives which contribute to CAgg formation.

Overview of Antiviral Drug Therapy for COVID-19: Where Do We Stand?

The vaccine weapon has resulted in being essential in fighting the COVID-19 outbreak, but it is not fully preventing infection due to an alarming spreading of several identified variants of concern. In fact, the recent emergence of variants has pointed out how the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic still represents a global health threat. Moreover, oral antivirals also develop resistance, supporting the need to find new targets as therapeutic tools. However, cocktail therapy is useful to reduce drug resistance and maximize vaccination efficacy. Natural products and metal-drug-based treatments have also shown interesting antiviral activity, representing a valid contribution to counter COVID-19 outbreak. This report summarizes the available evidence which supports the use of approved drugs and further focuses on significant clinical trials that have investigated the safety and efficacy of repurposing drugs and new molecules in different COVID-19 phenotypes. To date, there are many individuals vulnerable to COVID-19 exhibiting severe symptoms, thus characterizing valid therapeutic strategies for better management of the disease is still a challenge.

Combining L-Arginine with vitamin C improves long-COVID symptoms: The LINCOLN Survey

INTRODUCTION

Recent evidence suggests that oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction play critical roles in the pathophysiology of COVID-19 and Long-COVID. We hypothesized that a supplementation combining L-Arginine (to improve endothelial function) and Vitamin C (to reduce oxidation) could have favorable effects on Long-COVID symptoms.

METHODS

We designed a survey (LINCOLN: L-Arginine and Vitamin C improves Long-COVID), assessing several symptoms that have been associated with Long-COVID to be administered nationwide to COVID-19 survivors; the survey also included effort perception, measured using the Borg scale. Patients receiving the survey were divided in two groups, with a 2:1 ratio: the first group included patients that received L-Arginine + Vitamin C, whereas the second group received a multivitamin combination (alternative treatment).

RESULTS

1390 patients successfully completed the survey. Following a 30-day treatment in both groups, the survey revealed that patients in the L-Arginine + Vitamin C treatment arm had significantly lower scores compared to patients who had received the multivitamin combination. There were no other significant differences between the two groups. When examining effort perception, we observed a significantly lower value (p < 0.0001) in patients receiving L-Arginine + Vitamin C compared to the alternative-treatment arm.

CONCLUSIONS

Our survey indicates that the supplementation with L-Arginine + Vitamin C has beneficial effects in Long-COVID, in terms of attenuating its typical symptoms and improving effort perception.

High Dose Intravenous Vitamin C as Adjunctive Therapy for COVID-19 Patients with Cancer: Two Cases

Background: Related to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic leading to COVID-19 illness, patients with cancer comorbidity are known to have a higher risk of developing severe viral-related events, including death. To date, there are few treatments with proven efficacy for COVID-19. Vitamin C administered intravenously (IVC) has been extensively investigated in cancer treatment with a known safety profile and has been proposed to play a role in managing COVID-19. IVC was used to treat COVID-19 patients in hospitals in China, USA, and Europe with reported benefits. We report here unexpected beneficial results from the use of IVC in two severely ill oncology patients with documented COVID-19 lung disease. Case Report: two oncology patients were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Prior to receiving IVC, lung infiltrates and systemic inflammation in both patients were progressing despite multiple anti-viral, antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory treatments with intensive supportive care. Both patients subsequently received 12 g of IVC delivered intravenously over 30 min, given 2 times daily for 7 days. Serial SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid tests showed that the viral load was negative only after the 7-day IVC treatment. In both patients after receiving IVC infusions, imaging by chest CT or X-ray showed improving lung infiltrates. There were reductions in systematic inflammation by high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) testing. No adverse events were observed related to IVC treatment. Conclusion: the use of high-dose IVC demonstrated unexpected clinical benefits in treating COVID-19 in two cancer patients presenting with complicated severe comorbidities where an unfavorable prognosis was anticipated.

Ascorbic acid attenuates activation and cytokine production in sepsis-like monocytes

Sepsis manifests due to the host's dysregulated immune response to infection. High-dose ascorbic acid (AA) has emerged as a potential treatment of sepsis, yet little is known regarding how AA influences the immune system in sepsis, such as monocytes. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of high-dose AA on monocyte polarization and cytokine production in vitro. Monocytes isolated from healthy donors (n = 6) were polarized in vitro for 48 h using LPS or lipoteichoic acid (LTA). Polarization was confirmed by surface marker expression using flow cytometry. In parallel, monocytes from septic patients (n = 3) were analyzed for polarization markers as a comparison with the in vitro polarization. The effect of AA on monocyte polarization was then evaluated. Finally, monocytes were analyzed for cytokine production by intracellular staining. Both LPS and LTA induced polarization in healthy monocytes in vitro, with increased expression of both pro (M1) (CD40 and PDL1, p < 0.05) and anti-inflammatory (M2) (CD16 and CD163, p < 0.05) polarization markers. This pattern resembled that of monocytes from septic patients. Treatment with AA significantly inhibited surface expression of CD16 and CD163 (p < 0.05) in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, AA attenuated LPS- or LTA-induced cytokine production of IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF. In conclusion, AA attenuates proinflammatory cytokine production and diminishes up-regulation of CD16 and CD163, but not of CD40 and PDL-1 in LPS- or LTA-polarized monocytes. This study provides important insight into the effects of high-dose AA on monocytes and potential implications in sepsis.

Adropin decreases endothelial monolayer permeability after cell-free hemoglobin exposure and reduces MCP-1-induced macrophage transmigration

BACKGROUND

Cell-free heme-containing proteins mediate endothelial injury in a variety of disease states including subarachnoid hemorrhage and sepsis by increasing endothelial permeability. Inflammatory cells are also attracted to sites of vascular injury by monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) and other chemokines. We have identified a novel peptide hormone, adropin, that protects against hemoglobin-induced endothelial permeability and MCP-1-induced macrophage migration.

METHODS

Human microvascular endothelial cells were exposed to cell-free hemoglobin (CFH) with and without adropin treatment before measuring monolayer permeability using a FITC-dextran tracer assay. mRNA and culture media were collected for molecular studies. We also assessed the effect of adropin on macrophage movement across the endothelial monolayer using an MCP-1-induced migration assay.

RESULTS

CFH exposure decreases adropin expression and increases paracellular permeability of human endothelial cells. Treating cells with synthetic adropin protects against the increased permeability observed during the natural injury progression. Cell viability was similar in all groups and Hmox1 expression was not affected by adropin treatment. MCP-1 potently induced macrophage migration across the endothelial monolayer and adropin treatment effectively reduced this phenomenon.

CONCLUSIONS

Endothelial injury is a hallmark of many disease states. Our results suggest that adropin treatment could be a valuable strategy in preventing heme-mediated endothelial injury and macrophage infiltration. Further investigation of adropin therapy in animal models and human tissue specimens is needed.

The Effects of Vitamin C on the Multiple Pathophysiological Stages of COVID-19

Currently available anti-viral drugs may be useful in reducing the viral load but are not providing the necessary physiological effects to reduce the SARS-CoV-2 complications efficiently. Treatments that provide better clinical outcomes are urgently needed. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid, AA) is an essential nutrient with many biological roles that have been proven to play an important part in immune function; it serves as an antioxidant, an anti-viral, and exerts anti-thrombotic effects among many other physiological benefits. Research has proven that AA at pharmacological doses can be beneficial to patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and other respiratory illnesses, including sepsis. In addition, High-Dose Intravenous Vitamin C (HDIVC) has proven to be effective in patients with different viral diseases, such as influenza, chikungunya, Zika, and dengue. Moreover, HDIVC has been demonstrated to be very safe. Regarding COVID-19, vitamin C can suppress the cytokine storm, reduce thrombotic complications, and diminish alveolar and vascular damage, among other benefits. Due to these reasons, the use of HDIVC should be seriously considered in complicated COVID-19 patients. In this article, we will emphasize vitamin C’s multiple roles in the most prominent pathophysiological processes presented by the COVID-19 disease.

Toxic effects of cell-free hemoglobin on the microvascular endothelium: implications for pulmonary and nonpulmonary organ dysfunction

Levels of circulating cell-free hemoglobin are elevated during hemolytic and inflammatory diseases and contribute to organ dysfunction and severity of illness. Though several studies have investigated the contribution of hemoglobin to tissue injury, the precise signaling mechanisms of hemoglobin-mediated endothelial dysfunction in the lung and other organs are not yet completely understood. The purpose of this review is to highlight the knowledge gained thus far and the need for further investigation regarding hemoglobin-mediated endothelial inflammation and injury to develop novel therapeutic strategies targeting the damaging effects of cell-free hemoglobin.

Cell-free hemoglobin-mediated human lung microvascular endothelial barrier dysfunction is not mediated by cell death

Circulating cell-free hemoglobin (CFH) contributes to endothelial injury in several inflammatory and hemolytic conditions. We and others have shown that CFH causes increased endothelial permeability, but the precise mechanisms of CFH-mediated endothelial barrier dysfunction are not fully understood. Based on our previous study in a mouse model of sepsis demonstrating that CFH increased apoptosis in the lung, we hypothesized that CFH causes endothelial barrier dysfunction through this cell death mechanism. We first confirmed that CFH causes human lung microvascular barrier dysfunction in vitro that can be prevented by the hemoglobin scavenger, haptoglobin. While CFH caused a small but significant decrease in cell viability measured by the membrane impermeable DNA dye Draq7 in human lung microvascular endothelial cells, CFH did not increase apoptosis as measured by TUNEL staining or Western blot for cleaved caspase-3. Moreover, inhibitors of apoptosis (Z-VAD-FMK), necrosis (IM-54), necroptosis (necrostatin-1), ferroptosis (ferrostatin-1), or autophagy (3-methyladenine) did not prevent CFH-mediated endothelial barrier dysfunction. We conclude that although CFH may cause a modest decrease in cell viability over time, cell death does not contribute to CFH-mediated lung microvascular endothelial barrier dysfunction.

Vitamin C and Cardiovascular Disease: An Update

The potential beneficial effects of the antioxidant properties of vitamin C have been investigated in a number of pathological conditions. In this review, we assess both clinical and preclinical studies evaluating the role of vitamin C in cardiac and vascular disorders, including coronary heart disease, heart failure, hypertension, and cerebrovascular diseases. Pitfalls and controversies in investigations on vitamin C and cardiovascular disorders are also discussed.

The NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages is stimulated by cell-free hemoglobin

Cell‐free hemoglobin (CFH) is associated with severe lung injury in human patients and is sufficient to induce airspace inflammation and alveolar–capillary barrier dysfunction in an experimental model of acute lung injury. The mechanisms through which this occurs are unknown. One key pathway which regulates inflammation during acute lung injury is the NLRP3 inflammasome. Because CFH can act as a damage‐associated molecular pattern, we hypothesized that CFH may activate the NLRP3 inflammasome during acute lung injury. Primary mouse alveolar macrophages and cultured murine macrophages exposed to CFH (0–1 mg/ml) for 24 hr demonstrated robust upregulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome components NLRP3, caspase‐1, and caspase‐11. Maximal induction of the NLRP3 inflammasome by CFH required TLR4. Compared to wild‐type controls, mice lacking NLRP3 developed less airspace inflammation (2.7 × 10⁵ cells/ml in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid versus. 1.1 × 10⁵/ml, p = .006) after exposure to intratracheal CFH. Together, these data demonstrate that CFH can stimulate the NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages and that this pathway may be important in the pathogenesis of CFH‐induced acute lung injury.

Pro-inflammatory Actions of Heme and Other Hemoglobin-Derived DAMPs

Damage associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are endogenous molecules originate from damaged cells and tissues with the ability to trigger and/or modify innate immune responses. Upon hemolysis hemoglobin (Hb) is released from red blood cells (RBCs) to the circulation and give a rise to the production of different Hb redox states and heme which can act as DAMPs. Heme is the best characterized Hb-derived DAMP that targets different immune and non-immune cells. Heme is a chemoattractant, activates the complement system, modulates host defense mechanisms through the activation of innate immune receptors and the heme oxygenase-1/ferritin system, and induces innate immune memory. The contribution of oxidized Hb forms is much less studied, but some evidence show that these species might play distinct roles in intravascular hemolysis-associated pathologies independently of heme release. This review aims to summarize our current knowledge about the formation and pro-inflammatory actions of heme and other Hb-derived DAMPs.

COVID-19: hemoglobin, iron, and hypoxia beyond inflammation. A narrative review

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has been regarded as an infective-inflammatory disease, which affects mainly lungs. More recently, a multi-organ involvement has been highlighted, with different pathways of injury. A hemoglobinopathy, hypoxia and cell iron overload might have a possible additional role. Scientific literature has pointed out two potential pathophysiological mechanisms: i) severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV- 2) interaction with hemoglobin molecule, through CD147, CD26 and other receptors located on erythrocyte and/or blood cell precursors; ii) hepcidin-mimetic action of a viral spike protein, inducing ferroportin blockage. In this translational medicinebased narrative review, the following pathologic metabolic pathways, deriving from hemoglobin denaturation and iron metabolism dysregulation, are highlighted: i) decrease of functioning hemoglobin quote; ii) iron overload in cell/tissue (hyperferritinemia); iii) release of free toxic circulating heme; iv) hypoxemia and systemic hypoxia; v) reduction of nitric oxide; vi) coagulation activation; vii) ferroptosis with oxidative stress and lipoperoxidation; viii) mitochondrial degeneration and apoptosis. A few clinical syndromes may follow, such as pulmonary edema based on arterial vasoconstriction and altered alveolo-capillary barrier, sideroblastic-like anemia, endotheliitis, vasospastic acrosyndrome, and arterio- venous thromboembolism. We speculated that in COVID-19, beyond the classical pulmonary immune-inflammation view, the occurrence of an oxygen-deprived blood disease, with iron metabolism dysregulation, should be taken in consideration. A more comprehensive diagnostic/therapeutic approach to COVID-19 is proposed, including potential adjuvant interventions aimed at improving hemoglobin dysfunction, iron over-deposit and generalized hypoxic state.

A Cecal Slurry Mouse Model of Sepsis Leads to Acute Consumption of Vitamin C in the Brain

Vitamin C (ascorbate, ASC) is a critical antioxidant in the body with specific roles in the brain. Despite a recent interest in vitamin C therapies for critical care medicine, little is known about vitamin C regulation during acute inflammation and critical illnesses such as sepsis. Using a cecal slurry (CS) model of sepsis in mice, we determined ASC and inflammatory changes in the brain following the initial treatment. ASC levels in the brain were acutely decreased by approximately 10% at 4 and 24 h post CS treatment. Changes were accompanied by a robust increase in liver ASC levels of up to 50%, indicating upregulation of synthesis beginning at 4 h and persisting up to 7 days post CS treatment. Several key cytokines interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1, KC/Gro) were also significantly elevated in the cortex at 4 h post CS treatment, although these levels returned to normal by 48 h. These data strongly suggest that ASC reserves are directly challenged throughout illness and recovery from sepsis. Given the timescale of this response, decreases in cortical ASC are likely driven by hyper-acute neuroinflammatory processes. However, future studies are required to confirm this relationship and to investigate how this deficiency may subsequently impact neuroinflammation.

The Role of Hemoglobin Oxidation Products in Triggering Inflammatory Response Upon Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Premature Infants

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is a frequent complication of prematurity that is associated with high neonatal mortality and morbidity. IVH is accompanied by red blood cell (RBC) lysis, hemoglobin (Hb) oxidation, and sterile inflammation. Here we investigated whether extracellular Hb, metHb, ferrylHb, and heme contribute to the inflammatory response after IVH. We collected cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (n = 20) from premature infants with grade III IVH at different time points after the onset of IVH. Levels of Hb, metHb, total heme, and free heme were the highest in CSF samples obtained between days 0 and 20 after the onset of IVH and were mostly non-detectable in CSF collected between days 41 and 60 of post-IVH. Besides Hb monomers, we detected cross-linked Hb dimers and tetramers in post-IVH CSF samples obtained in days 0–20 and 21–40, but only Hb tetramers were present in CSF samples obtained after 41–60 days. Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels were higher in CSF samples obtained between days 0 and 20 than in CSF collected between days 41 and 60 of post-IVH. Concentrations of VCAM-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and IL-8 strongly correlated with total heme levels in CSF. Applying the identified heme sources on human brain microvascular endothelial cells revealed that Hb oxidation products and free heme contribute to the inflammatory response. We concluded that RBC lysis, Hb oxidation, and heme release are important components of the inflammatory response in IVH. Pharmacological interventions targeting cell-free Hb, Hb oxidation products, and free heme could have potential to limit the neuroinflammatory response following IVH.

The Role of Circulating Cell-Free Hemoglobin in Sepsis-Associated Acute Kidney Injury

Sepsis is a heterogeneous clinical syndrome that is complicated commonly by acute kidney injury (sepsis-AKI). Currently, no approved pharmacologic therapies exist to either prevent sepsis-AKI or to treat sepsis-AKI once it occurs. A growing body of evidence supports a connection between red blood cell biology and sepsis-AKI. Increased levels of circulating cell-free hemoglobin (CFH) released from red blood cells during hemolysis are common during sepsis and can contribute to sepsis-AKI through several mechanisms including tubular obstruction, nitric oxide depletion, oxidative injury, and proinflammatory signaling. A number of potential pharmacologic therapies targeting CFH in sepsis have been identified including haptoglobin, hemopexin, and acetaminophen, and early phase clinical trials have suggested that acetaminophen may have beneficial effects on lipid peroxidation and kidney function in patients with sepsis. Bedside measurement of CFH levels may facilitate predictive enrichment for future clinical trials of CFH-targeted therapeutics. However, rapid and reliable bedside tests for plasma CFH will be required for such trials to move forward.

Cell-free hemoglobin increases inflammation, lung apoptosis, and microvascular permeability in murine polymicrobial sepsis

Increased endothelial permeability is central to the pathogenesis of sepsis and leads to organ dysfunction and death but the endogenous mechanisms that drive increased endothelial permeability are not completely understood. We previously reported that cell-free hemoglobin (CFH), elevated in 80% of patients with sepsis, increases lung microvascular permeability in an ex vivo human lung model and cultured endothelial cells. In this study, we augmented a murine model of polymicrobial sepsis with elevated circulating CFH to test the hypothesis that CFH increases microvascular endothelial permeability by inducing endothelial apoptosis. Mice were treated with an intraperitoneal injection of cecal slurry with or without a single intravenous injection of CFH. Severity of illness, mortality, systemic and lung inflammation, endothelial injury and dysfunction and lung apoptosis were measured at selected time points. We found that CFH added to CS increased sepsis mortality, plasma inflammatory cytokines as well as lung apoptosis, edema and inflammation without affecting large vessel reactivity or vascular injury marker concentrations. These results suggest that CFH is an endogenous mediator of increased endothelial permeability and apoptosis in sepsis and may be a promising therapeutic target.

Native bovine hemoglobin reduces differentiation capacity of mesenchymal stromal cells in vitro

We have tested in vitro effects of hemoglobin from bovine slaughterhouse blood (BHb) on stromal cells of mesodermal origin, with an aim to explore its use as a component of cell culture media. Human peripheral blood mesenchymal stromal cells (PB-MSCs) and three mouse cell lines (ATDC5, MC3T3-E1 and 3T3-L1) were employed to study BHb effects on their growth and migration. The cells multilineage differentiation capacity in the presence of BHb was evaluated after induced differentiation, by histochemical staining and by RT-PCR analysis of the expression of genes specific for chondrogenic, adipogenic and osteogenic lineages. The effects of BHb on the cell proliferation and motility were dependent on both, cell type and BHb concentration (0.1 μM, 1 μM and 10 μM). In the lowest concentration (0.1 µM) BHb showed the least prominent effect on the cell proliferation and migration. In this concentration BHb reduced the differentiation capacity of all tested cells and its effect was dependent of composition of induction medium and the culture period. Obtained data suggest that BHb has the potential to be used as a component of cell culture media through maintaining proliferation and reducing differentiation capacity of mesenchymal stromal cells.

Cell-free hemoglobin augments acute kidney injury during experimental sepsis

Acute kidney injury is a common complication of severe sepsis and contributes to high mortality. The molecular mechanisms of acute kidney injury during sepsis are not fully understood. Because hemoproteins, including myoglobin and hemoglobin, are known to mediate kidney injury during rhabdomyolysis, we hypothesized that cell-free hemoglobin (CFH) would exacerbate acute kidney injury during sepsis. Sepsis was induced in mice by intraperitoneal injection of cecal slurry (CS). To mimic elevated levels of CFH observed during human sepsis, mice also received a retroorbital injection of CFH or dextrose control. Four groups of mice were analyzed: sham treated (sham), CFH alone, CS alone, and CS + CFH. The addition of CFH to CS reduced 48-h survival compared with CS alone (67% vs. 97%, P = 0.001) and increased the severity of illness. After 24 and 48 h, CS + CFH mice had a reduced glomerular filtration rate from baseline, whereas sham, CFH, and CS mice maintained baseline glomerular filtration rate. Biomarkers of acute kidney injury, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), were markedly elevated in CS+CFH compared with CS (8-fold for NGAL and 2.4-fold for KIM-1, P < 0.002 for each) after 48 h. Histological examination showed a trend toward increased tubular injury in CS + CFH-exposed kidneys compared with CS-exposed kidneys. However, there were similar levels of renal oxidative injury and apoptosis in the CS + CFH group compared with the CS group. Kidney levels of multiple proinflammatory cytokines were similar between CS and CS + CFH groups. Human renal tubule cells (HK-2) exposed to CFH demonstrated increased cytotoxicity. Together, these results show that CFH exacerbates acute kidney injury in a mouse model of experimental sepsis, potentially through increased renal tubular injury.

Reduced plasma ascorbic acid levels in recipients of myeloablative conditioning and hematopoietic cell transplantation

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) conditioned using myeloablative conditioning (MAC) is complicated by end organ injury due to endothelial dysfunction and graft versus host disease. Mucositis and oxidant injury results in micronutrient deficiency. Ascorbic acid (AA) levels were measured in 15 patients undergoing HCT conditioned with MAC (11 allogeneic and four autologous HCT). Ascorbate levels declined postconditioning to 27.3 μMol/L (±14.1) by day 0 (P = .03 compared with pretransplant baseline), reaching a nadir level of 21.5 (±13.8) on day 14 (P = .003) post-transplant. Patients undergoing allogeneic HCT continued to have low AA levels to day 60 post-transplant. The role of AA in maintaining endothelial function and hematopoietic as well as T-cell recovery is provided, developing the rationale for repletion of vitamin C following HCT.

The relationship between vitamin C status, the gut-liver axis, and metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a constellation of cardiometabolic risk factors, which together predict increased risk of more serious chronic diseases. We propose that one consequence of dietary overnutrition is increased abundance of Gram-negative bacteria in the gut that cause increased inflammation, impaired gut function, and endotoxemia that further dysregulate the already compromised antioxidant vitamin status in MetS. This discussion is timely because "healthy" individuals are no longer the societal norm and specialized dietary requirements are needed for the growing prevalence of MetS. Further, these lines of evidence provide the foundational basis for investigation that poor vitamin C status promotes endotoxemia, leading to metabolic dysfunction that impairs vitamin E trafficking through a mechanism involving the gut-liver axis. This report will establish a critical need for translational research aimed at validating therapeutic approaches to manage endotoxemia-an early, but inflammation-inducing phenomenon, which not only occurs in MetS, but is also prognostic of more advanced metabolic disorders including type 2 diabetes mellitus, as well as the increasing severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases.

Hydrocortisone, Ascorbic Acid and Thiamine (HAT Therapy) for the Treatment of Sepsis. Focus on Ascorbic Acid

Sepsis is a devastating disease that carries an enormous toll in terms of human suffering and lives lost. Over 100 novel pharmacologic agents that targeted specific molecules or pathways have failed to improve the outcome of sepsis. Preliminary data suggests that the combination of Hydrocortisone, Ascorbic Acid and Thiamine (HAT therapy) may reduce organ failure and mortality in patients with sepsis and septic shock. HAT therapy is based on the concept that a combination of readily available, safe and cheap agents, which target multiple components of the host’s response to an infectious agent, will synergistically restore the dysregulated immune response and thereby prevent organ failure and death. This paper reviews the rationale for HAT therapy with a focus on vitamin C.