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Published on: June 15, 2019
Selenium nanoparticles as adjunctive therapy in sepsis: A pilot randomized clinical trial
Wan-Jie Gu1, Wei Huang1, Feng-Zhi Zhao1
1Department of Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, MOE Key Laboratory of Viral Pathogenesis & Infection Prevention and Control, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China.
Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) improved immune function in sepsis patients, reducing inflammation and improving organ function. This study suggests SeNPs as a promising adjunctive therapy for sepsis, enhancing host defense and potentially lowering mortality.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Nanomedicine
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Sepsis-induced immunosuppression impairs host defense, leading to treatment failure.
- There is a critical need for therapeutic strategies to restore immune function in sepsis patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of functional selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) as an adjunctive therapy for sepsis patients with immune dysfunction.
- To assess the impact of SeNPs on immune function, inflammation, and clinical outcomes in sepsis.
Main Methods:
- A pilot randomized clinical trial (ChiCTR2300072222) involving 70 sepsis patients.
- Patients received standard care alone or standard care plus SeNPs (400 μg selenium daily).
- Immune function was assessed via lymphocyte counts and subsets; inflammation markers (IL-6, HMGB1) and clinical outcomes were monitored.
Main Results:
- SeNPs supplementation significantly improved immune function, increasing total lymphocyte counts and CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T cell subsets.
- SeNPs reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, HMGB1), indicating attenuated inflammation.
- SeNPs demonstrated protective effects on multiple organ functions, decreased infection markers, and reduced ICU and hospital mortality, with no reported adverse events.
Conclusions:
- Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) enhance immune function and reduce inflammation in sepsis patients.
- SeNPs supplementation shows promise in protecting against multiple organ dysfunction and improving survival in sepsis.
- SeNPs represent a safe and potentially effective adjunctive therapy for sepsis management.
