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Cytochrome C in Patients with Septic Shock
Lars W Andersen1, Xiaowen Liu, Sophia Montissol
1*Center for Resuscitation Science, Department of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts †Department of Anesthesiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark ‡Research Center for Emergency Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark §Department of Anesthesia Critical Care, Division of Critical Care, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts ¶Resuscitation Institute at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois ||Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts.
Plasma cytochrome c levels are elevated in patients with septic shock, correlating with lactate and indicating poorer outcomes. Higher cytochrome c levels in septic patients suggest mitochondrial injury and are linked to mortality.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Critical Care Medicine
- Mitochondrial Biology
Background:
- Cytochrome c is vital for cellular respiration and apoptosis.
- Elevated circulating cytochrome c may signify mitochondrial damage.
- Sepsis involves widespread cellular dysfunction, including mitochondrial impairment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate elevated cytochrome c levels in septic shock patients.
- To assess the correlation between cytochrome c, lactate, and inflammatory markers.
- To determine if higher cytochrome c levels predict adverse outcomes in sepsis.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, observational pilot study of 77 adult septic shock patients.
- Blood samples collected at 0, 12, and 24 hours post-enrollment.
- Plasma cytochrome c measured via electrochemiluminescence immunoassay.
Main Results:
- Septic patients exhibited significantly higher plasma cytochrome c than healthy controls.
- Cytochrome c levels positively correlated with lactate but not inflammatory markers.
- Non-survivors had significantly higher cytochrome c levels than survivors throughout the study period.
Conclusions:
- Plasma cytochrome c is elevated in septic shock patients.
- Higher cytochrome c levels are associated with increased mortality in sepsis.
- Circulating cytochrome c may serve as a biomarker for mitochondrial injury and prognosis in sepsis.
