Mitochondrial Dysfunction Contributes to Sepsis Induced Cardiac Dysfunction

This proposal hypothesizes that mitochondrial bioenergetics in the patient will correspond to mtDNA DAMPs levels and markers of inflammation. We predict these will serve as a prognostic indicator of Sepsis induced cardiac dysfunction (SICD) outcomes. Successful completion of these studies will provide a clearer understanding of the etiology of SICD development and therefore will have a high impact on biomedical research by identifying a new mechanism for understanding sepsis induced organ failure. Importantly, they will also provide a means for more directed and focused therapies, based upon individual bioenergetic/mitochondrial-mediated inflammation profiles. The combined, complementary expertise of the Mentor/co-primary investigators (Drs. Mathru and Ballinger) provide an excellent combination in both basic and translational research. They also have experience conducting studies and publications that will strengthen this research project. Importantly, the methods for characterizing mitochondrial bioenergetics from platelets were developed here at UAB, and methods for quantitative assessment of mtDNA DAMPs have been recently developed.

Study Overview

• Status: Withdrawn
• Conditions: Sepsis
• Intervention / Treatment: Diagnostic test: Suspected Sepsis Group - Diagnostic Measurements; Diagnostic test: Control Group - Diagnostic Measurements

Detailed Description

Sepsis induced cardiac dysfunction (SICD) occurs in ~ 50% of the patients with severe sepsis and septic shock, with significant implications for patient's survival. Currently, the precise pathophysiological mechanisms leading to cardiac dysfunction are not fully understood, nor is there an effective therapy for SICD except antibiotics, source control and restoration of hemodynamics to improve organ perfusion.

SICD is characterized by minimal cell death, normal coronary perfusion, preserved tissue oxygen tension and reversibility in survivors. These characteristics point toward an oxygen utilization problem due to mitochondrial dysfunction; interestingly, sepsis mouse models demonstrated an improvement in cardiac function and decreased mortality when they were treated with mitochondrial targeted therapies, consistent with a growing body of evidence that suggests dysregulated mitochondrial metabolism plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of SICD. Ultrastructural and functional abnormalities of mitochondria have also been demonstrated in early sepsis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated from mitochondria along with calcium overload trigger mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening which facilitates the externalization of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) fragments. These mtDNA fragments, or mtDNA Damage Associated Molecular Patterns (mtDNA DAMPs), activate innate immune response pathways - these pathways are well known to be significant components of intramyocardial inflammation.

• Study Type: Observational

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Alabama
    • Birmingham, Alabama, United States, 35294
      • University of Alabama at Birmingham

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

study patients admitted to the intensive care unit with suspected sepsis shock will be enrolled and compared to the control group.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subjects 18 years old
• With clinical symptoms suggestive of sepsis Control Group
• age matched
• gender matched
• cardiovascular risk factor matched

Exclusion Criteria:

• n/a

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Case-Control
• Time Perspectives: Prospective

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
suspected sepsis group; We will perform a prospective observational study of patients admitted to the intensive care units (ICU) with suspected sepsis or septic shock.	Diagnostic test: Suspected Sepsis Group - Diagnostic Measurements; Blood samples (7.5ml) will be collected in cell free DNA collection tubes cfDNA will be extracted with the use of MagMAX cell free DNA isolation kit. Quantitative PCR will determine the total cfDNA. cfDNA (5micro litr) will be subjected to bisulphide conversion with use of EZ DNA methylation kit (Zymo research). We will perform digital PCR for interrogating bisulphide treated cfDNA for FMA 101A locus with the use of Quant Studio 3D digital PCR system. Copy numbers of unmethylated FAM 101A locus as determined by d PCR in the sample will be expressed as the copy numbers of cardiomyocyte specific cfDNA per plasma volume.Inflammatory markers IL-6.IL-8, IL 1-18 and C-reactive protein (CRP) will be measured using commercial assays. Speckle tracking imaging will be used to obtain tissue displacement, velocity, strain, and strain rate in radial longitudinal and circumferential planes EF and FS will be determined by conventional methods.
control group; This group will be compared to suspected sepsis or sepsis shock patients. The control group will be age matched, gender-matched, and cardiovascular risk-factor matched controls.	Diagnostic test: Control Group - Diagnostic Measurements; Blood samples (7.5ml) will be collected in cell free DNA collection tubes cfDNA will be extracted with the use of MagMAX cell free DNA isolation kit. Quantitative PCR will determine the total cfDNA. cfDNA (5micro litr) will be subjected to bisulphide conversion with use of EZ DNA methylation kit (Zymo research). We will perform digital PCR for interrogating bisulphide treated cfDNA for FMA 101A locus with the use of Quant Studio 3D digital PCR system. Copy numbers of unmethylated FAM 101A locus as determined by d PCR in the sample will be expressed as the copy numbers of cardiomyocyte specific cfDNA per plasma volume.Inflammatory markers IL-6.IL-8, IL 1-18 and C-reactive protein (CRP) will be measured using commercial assays. Speckle tracking imaging will be used to obtain tissue displacement, velocity, strain, and strain rate in radial longitudinal and circumferential planes EF and FS will be determined by conventional methods.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Mitochondrial dysfunction characterized by bioenergetic changes	that mitochondrial dysfunction, characterized by bioenergetic changes (dysfunction) is associated with sepsis in humans, and will be significantly linked with mtDNA DAMPs levels and inflammatory markers in the pathophysiology of SICD.	within 6 hours of admission to the ICU
Mitochondrial dysfunction characterized by bioenergetic changes	that mitochondrial dysfunction, characterized by bioenergetic changes (dysfunction) is associated with sepsis in humans, and will be significantly linked with mtDNA DAMPs levels and inflammatory markers in the pathophysiology of SICD.	within 72 hours post admission
Mitochondrial dysfunction characterized by bioenergetic changes	that mitochondrial dysfunction, characterized by bioenergetic changes (dysfunction) is associated with sepsis in humans, and will be significantly linked with mtDNA DAMPs levels and inflammatory markers in the pathophysiology of SICD.	after clinical recovery from sepsis (approximately 1 month)
Mitochondrial function in heart	changes in mitochondrial bioenergetics associated with sepsis can result in differential releases of mtDNA DAMPs, which contribute in inflammation	within 6 hours of admission to the ICU
Mitochondrial function in heart	changes in mitochondrial bioenergetics associated with sepsis can result in differential releases of mtDNA DAMPs, which contribute in inflammation	within 72 hours post admission
Mitochondrial function in heart	changes in mitochondrial bioenergetics associated with sepsis can result in differential releases of mtDNA DAMPs, which contribute in inflammation	after clinical recovery from sepsis (approximately 1 month)
Mitochondria and SICD	examining the potential roles for increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) production in SICD using mouse models of sepsis have shown that genetic and/or pharmacologic manipulation of these species decreased oxidative stress, increased ATP generation and restored cardiac function in sepsis	within 6 hours of admission to the ICU
Mitochondria and SICD	examining the potential roles for increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) production in SICD using mouse models of sepsis have shown that genetic and/or pharmacologic manipulation of these species decreased oxidative stress, increased ATP generation and restored cardiac function in sepsis	within 72 hours post admission
Mitochondria and SICD	examining the potential roles for increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) production in SICD using mouse models of sepsis have shown that genetic and/or pharmacologic manipulation of these species decreased oxidative stress, increased ATP generation and restored cardiac function in sepsis	after clinical recovery from sepsis (approximately 1 month)
Mitochondrial mechanisms to influence SICD	changes in mitochondrial bioenergetics associated with sepsis can result in differential releases of mtDNA DAMPs, which contribute in inflammation.	within 6 hours of admission to the ICU
Mitochondrial mechanisms to influence SICD	changes in mitochondrial bioenergetics associated with sepsis can result in differential releases of mtDNA DAMPs, which contribute in inflammation.	within 72 hours post admission
Mitochondrial mechanisms to influence SICD	changes in mitochondrial bioenergetics associated with sepsis can result in differential releases of mtDNA DAMPs, which contribute in inflammation.	after clinical recovery from sepsis (approximately 1 month)
Mitochondrial bioenergetics and mtDNA DAMPs	determine the mitochondrial bioenergetic profiles from platelets isolated from blood samples collected from sepsis patients and controls.	within 6 hours of admission to the ICU
Mitochondrial bioenergetics and mtDNA DAMPs	determine the mitochondrial bioenergetic profiles from platelets isolated from blood samples collected from sepsis patients and controls.	within 72 hours post admission
Mitochondrial bioenergetics and mtDNA DAMPs	determine the mitochondrial bioenergetic profiles from platelets isolated from blood samples collected from sepsis patients and controls.	after clinical recovery from sepsis (approximately 1 month)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Riaz Karukappadath, MD, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Division of Critical Care Medicine

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): December 10, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): January 14, 2026
• Study Completion (Actual): January 14, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 24, 2021
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 24, 2021
• First Posted (Actual): December 8, 2021

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 20, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 18, 2026
• Last Verified: February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Infections; Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome; Inflammation; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Sepsis
• Other Study ID Numbers: 300007609; UAB (Other Identifier: UAB)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: To be determined

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No