Immune-Mitochondrial Correction in Military Recruits

Overview

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a new immune-mitochondrial correction strategy works better than standard vitamins to prevent infections in young male military recruits during their first 6 months of service. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does the new strategy lower the number of recruits who get infections (like colds, flu, or pneumonia) over 6 months? 2. Does the new strategy improve how well the immune cells work, specifically their mitochondria (the power source inside cells)? Researchers will compare: * Control group (100 participants): Standard multivitamin taken once a day for 30 days * Experimental group (100 participants): New strategy (sodium nucleinate, magnesium, vitamin B6, and vitamin D 5000 IU) taken as 3 tablets once a day for 30 days to see if the new strategy lowers infection rates more than standard vitamins. Who can take part: Healthy male military recruits aged 18-27 years who are starting their initial training at the Military Clinical Hospital in Almaty, Kazakhstan. What participants will do: Participants will be placed into one of the two groups by chance (like flipping a coin). They will: * Take study pills once a day for 30 days * Have blood draws 3 times over 6 months (baseline, 1 month, and 6 months) * Have daily health checks by medical staff * Complete quality of life questionnaires What we will measure: * Number of participants who get infections during 6 months * How well the mitochondria in immune cells work (from blood samples) * Immune system status * Stress and adaptation levels * Vitamin D and other blood markers Risks and benefits: The risks are very low. Participants may have mild discomfort or a small bruise from blood draws. All study pills are approved and registered in Kazakhstan. There is no direct benefit to participants, but they will receive extra medical monitoring. The indirect benefit is helping develop a better prevention program to protect future recruits. Where the study is taking place: Military Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Almaty, Kazakhstan. Study duration: January 2027 to December 2028.

Study Rationale In Kazakhstan, infectious morbidity among military personnel is 4 times higher than in the civilian population, with severe cases accounting for 15-30% and mortality of 15-25% (Kasimov et al., 2019). Current prevention strategies (physical exercise, hardening, balanced nutrition, vitamin prophylaxis) have not sufficiently reduced infection rates. Stress-dependent immunosuppression during the adaptation period (4-6 weeks to 6 months) may explain this vulnerability. Scientific Premise Stress activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, increasing cortisol levels, which suppresses cellular immunity and increases susceptibility to respiratory pathogens. Mitochondrial dysfunction in immune cells (granulocytes) further impairs phagocytosis and bacterial killing. The experimental intervention targets both neuroendocrine stress response (magnesium, vitamin D) and mitochondrial function (sodium nucleinate as an electron donor for complexes III-IV of the respiratory chain). Study Design Details This is a prospective, randomized, single-blind, parallel-group trial. Randomization will be performed using a computer-generated random number sequence with a 1:1 allocation ratio. Allocation concealment will be achieved using sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes. Blinding: * Participants are blinded to group assignment (both interventions are administered as oral tablets of similar appearance) * Laboratory personnel performing blood analyses are blinded to group assignment * The statistician performing final data analysis will receive a de-identified database with groups labeled as "Group 1" and "Group 2" * The principal investigator is not blinded (responsible for safety monitoring) Intervention Details Control group (Standard of care): * Multivitamin containing: Vitamin A 800 mcg, Vitamin D3 5 mcg (200 IU), Vitamin E 10 mg, Vitamin C 60 mg, Vitamin B1 1.4 mg, Vitamin B2 1.6 mg, Vitamin B6 2 mg, Vitamin B12 1 mcg, nicotinamide 18 mg, pantothenic acid 6 mg, folic acid 200 mcg * Dosage: 1 tablet orally once daily in the morning for 30 days Experimental group (Immune-mitochondrial correction): * Sodium nucleinate 12 mg + Magnesium citrate 400 mg + Pyridoxine hydrochloride 6 mg + Vitamin D 5000 IU * Dosage: 3 tablets orally once daily in the morning for 30 days Laboratory Methods Mitochondrial function assessment of granulocytes will be performed using the method described in Patent for Utility Model No. 6180 (Baltabekov N.T., Panov S.A., Saidvakasov R.A., "Method for Assessing Neutrophil Activity in Oncological Patients"). This method uses fluorescent probes (JC-1, TMRM, MitoSOX) to measure mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and reactive oxygen species (mitoROS) in live granulocytes by fluorescence microscopy. Immunophenotyping will be performed by flow cytometry using a 6-pair panel for immune status (CD3/CD4, CD3/CD8, CD16/CD56, CD19, HLA-DR, CD45). Stress-adaptation status will be assessed using: * Bioelectroluminescence (BEL): GRV-camera (Bio-Well device) with analysis of gas-discharge photographs of fingers (Note: This device is used for research purposes only, not for clinical diagnosis) * Cardiointervalography: Bayevsky stress index calculated from 5-minute ECG recordings * Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) from complete blood count Sample Size Justification Based on preliminary data from oncological patients (where the experimental intervention reduced leukopenia from 39% to 14.5%), a sample size of 100 participants per group provides 80% power to detect a 50% reduction in infection incidence (two-sided alpha=0.05), accounting for 15% loss to follow-up. Data Monitoring No independent Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) is planned due to the minimal risk nature of the study. The Principal Investigator will conduct an interim analysis at 3 months for futility and safety. The study will be terminated early if infection rates exceed 30% in either group or if serious adverse events occur in \>5% of participants. Ethical Approvals This protocol will be submitted for approval to: * Local Ethics Committee of NI MIPO * Ethics Committee of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan * Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan (if required) Dissemination Plan Results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals indexed in Scopus/Web of Science. Authorship will follow ICMJE guidelines. The complete de-identified dataset will be made available upon reasonable request. Positive, negative, and inconclusive results will all be published to avoid publication bias. Protocol Amendments Any changes to the protocol will be submitted as amendments to ClinicalTrials.gov and to all relevant ethics committees before implementation.