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Mitochondrial Assessment in Critical Ill Patients in Intensive Care

NCT07018843 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Type: OBSERVATIONAL · Enrollment: 20

Last updated 2025-06-13

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Critically ill patients often require admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). When patients develop organ failures and end up on a ventilator, there are changes in the body's cell function that can increase the risk of poor outcomes. All cells, in order to function normally, have mitochondria, which help them generate energy and transfer vital messages between cells. However, during critical illness, the mitochondria in the cells can function less effectively and die prematurely, or their new synthesis and regeneration can be severely affected. This can result in continuous multi-organ failure with a lack of recovery and muscle wasting, causing severe weakness and an inability to function normally.

In this study, the investigators aim to assess mitochondrial capacity using three methods with varying levels of invasiveness. The investigators are planning to recruit 20 patients in the ICU who are on a ventilator for breathing support. The investigators plan to measure mitochondrial capacity from a breath test, blood cells, and muscle cells.

The investigators will collect breath samples after consuming an amino acid, which is a component of protein in our body and is commonly found in food. This amino acid is only broken down by the mitochondria. This safe test allows us to measure how much mitochondrial capacity remains in the body after the modified amino acid is broken down by the mitochondria. In comparison, the investigators will use standard methods which includes blood tests and muscle biopsy to examine the mitochondrial function of platelets (blood cells) and muscle cells. The investigators will also use non-invasive techniques (ultrasound and 'MyotonPRO') to assess muscle.

This study will help us determine the best way to assess mitochondrial function and capacity in critically ill patients and to understand strengths and weaknesses of different approaches.

When patients' mitochondrial function or capacity is impaired, the investigators can provide them with particular nutrition to improve mitochondrial activity. Because evaluating this at the bedside is challenging, it is impossible to tell which patients may benefit from specific therapies that improve mitochondrial function. If this breath test provides an assessment similar to the standard, sophisticated mitochondrial testing, the investigators could use it at the bedside in the future, which may improve patient outcomes and help design large clinical trials.

Conditions

  • Critical Illness

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Ahilanandan Dushianthan, MBBS MRCP PhD · University of Southampton; University Hospital Southampton

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-07-31
Primary Completion
2026-01-31
Completion
2026-03-31

Countries

  • United Kingdom

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07018843 on ClinicalTrials.gov