In this randomized, open-label study, the investigators will assess whether CytoSorb hemoperfusion will prevent or attenuate the development of immunoparalysis in healthy volunteers undergoing repeated experimental endotoxemia.
Sepsis is an inflammatory syndrome with high mortality rates and increasing incidence. Sepsis-induced immunoparalysis, increasingly recognized as the overriding immune disorder in sepsis patients, attributes significantly to late mortality in sepsis patients. The investigators hypothesize that 'blood purification' techniques targeted at the removal of excess circulating cytokines, such as the CytoSorb hemoperfusion device, might prevent or attenuate the development of immunoparalysis. The objective of this trial is to determine the effects of CytoSorb hemoperfusion on the development of immunoparalysis in a repeated experimental endotoxemia model in healthy male volunteers. To this end, 24 healthy male volunteers subjects will be randomized in a 1:1 fashion into one of two treatment groups (active or control). Both study groups will undergo two endotoxin challenges, separated by seven days. To this end, endotoxin (LPS) will be administered as a bolus of 1 ng/kg, followed by continuous infusion of 0.5 ng/kg/hr for three hours. The active group will be treated with CytoSorb hemoperfusion during the first endotoxin challenge, whereas the control group will receive no additional treatment. During both endotoxin challenges, blood samples will be obtained serially to measure levels of circulating cytokines and other inflammatory mediators.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
24
Subjects will be treated with CytoSorb hemoperfusion (in stand-alone setup) for 6 hours at a flow rate of 250 ml/min during endotoxemia.
Radboud University Medical Center
Nijmegen, Gelderland, Netherlands
Between group differences in plasma interleukin (IL)-6 levels during the second endotoxin challenge.
Blood samples will be obtained at predefined time points before, during and after endotoxin administration to assess plasma levels (in pg/mL) of circulating inflammatory mediatiors. To assess between group differences, the area under the curve (AUC) of the time concentration curve (expressed in arbitrary units) of each inflammatory mediator will be calculated.
Time frame: Samples will be obtained starting 1 hour prior until 8 hours after endotoxin administration
Between group differences in plasma levels of other inflammatory cytokines during the second endotoxin challenge.
Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein (MCP)-1, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL)-10, Macrophage Inflammatory Protein (MIP)-1α, MIP-1β, and Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (G-CSF)
Time frame: Samples will be obtained starting 1 hour prior until 8 hours after endotoxin administration
Between group differences in mHLA-DR expression
Differences in Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-DR expression on monocytes will be assessed using flowcytometry.
Time frame: 1 hour before, 3 hours after and 6 hours after endotoxin administration
Between group differences in norepinephrine sensitivity
To assess the effects of CytoSorb hemoperfusion on norepinephrine sensitivity, norepinephrine will be administered in increasing dosages (0.025; 0.05 and 0.1 γ) for 5 minutes per dose. Blood pressure will be recorded continuously with an arterial catheter.
Time frame: One hour before and 4 hours after endotoxin administration during the first endotoxin challenge
Cytokine clearance by the adsorber
Blood samples will be obtained from the afferent and efferent tubing of the CytoSorb adsorber to calculate clearance of cytokines by the adsorber
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Time frame: Every 30 minutes until cessation of hemoperfusion (six hours after endotoxin administration)
Between group differences in endotoxemia-induced metabolic activity of platelets
Blood samples will be collected in citrated tubes to allow assessment of ATP production by platelets.
Time frame: 1 hour prior until 8 hours after endotoxin administration
Between group differences in endotoxemia-induced clinical symptoms
Clinical symptoms will be scored on a Likert scale (ranging from 0 to 5) in a composite endpoint consisting of headache, nausea, shivering, muscle soreness and lower back pain. Higher numbers indicate more severe symptoms.
Time frame: Every 30 minutes from 1 hour prior until 8 hours after endotoxin administration
Between group differences in body temperature
Body temperature will be assessed using tympanic temperature measurements
Time frame: Every 30 minutes from 1 hour prior until 8 hours after endotoxin administration
Between group differences in blood pressure
Systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure will be measured continuously using a radial artery catheter.
Time frame: From 1 hour prior until 8 hours after endotoxin administration
Between group differences in heart rate
Heart rate will be recorded continuously using a 3-lead ECG.
Time frame: From 1 hour prior until 8 hours after endotoxin administration
Between group differences in markers of endothelial injury
Vascular cell adhesion protein (VCAM)-1 and Intercellular Adhesion Molecule (ICAM)-1
Time frame: Samples will be obtained starting 1 hour prior until 8 hours after endotoxin administration