High-Resolution Plasma Metabolomics and Thiamine Status in Critically Ill Adult Patients

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Thiamine (Vitamin B1) is an essential micronutrient and a co-factor for metabolic functions related to energy metabolism. We determined the association between whole blood thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) concentrations and plasma metabolites using high resolution metabolomics in critically ill patients. Methods Cross-sectional study performed in Erciyes University Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA. Participants were ≥ 18 years of age, with an expected length of ICU stay longer than 48 hours, receiving furosemide therapy for at least 6 months before ICU admission. Results Blood for TPP and metabolomics was obtained on the day of ICU admission. Whole blood TPP concentrations were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry was used for plasma high-resolution metabolomics. Data was analyzed using regression analysis of TPP levels against all plasma metabolomic features in metabolome-wide association studies. We also compared metabolomic features from patients in the highest TPP concentration tertile to patients in the lowest TPP tertile as a secondary analysis. We enrolled 76 participants with a median age of 69 (range, 62.5-79.5) years. Specific metabolic pathways associated with whole blood TPP levels, using both regression and tertile analysis, included pentose phosphate, fructose and mannose, branched chain amino acid, arginine and proline, linoleate, and butanoate pathways. Conclusions Plasma high-resolution metabolomics analysis showed that whole blood TPP concentrations are significantly associated with metabolites and metabolic pathways linked to the metabolism of energy, amino acids, lipids, and the gut microbiome in adult critically ill patients.

Evaluation of whole blood thiamine pyrophosphate concentrations in critically ill patients receiving chronic diuretic therapy prior to admission to Turkish intensive care units: A pragmatic, multicenter, prospective study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Thiamine plays a pivotal role in energy metabolism. The aim of the study was to determine serial whole blood TPP concentrations in critically ill patients receiving chronic diuretic treatment before ICU admission and to correlate TPP levels with clinically determined serum phosphorus concentrations.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

This observational study was performed in 15 medical ICUs. Serial whole blood TPP concentrations were measured by HPLC at baseline and at days 2, 5 and 10 after ICU admission.

RESULTS

A total of 221 participants were included. Of these, 18% demonstrated low TPP concentrations upon admission to the ICU, while 26% of participants demonstrated low levels at some point during the 10-day study period. Hypophosphatemia was detected in 30% of participants at some point during the 10-day period of observation. TPP levels were significantly and positively correlated with serum phosphorus levels at each time point (P < 0.05 for all).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that 18% of these critically ill patients exhibited low whole blood TPP concentrations on ICU admission and 26% had low levels during the initial 10 ICU days, respectively. The modest correlation between TPP and phosphorus concentrations suggests a possible association due to a refeeding effect in ICU patients requiring chronic diuretic therapy.

Serum Micronutrient Levels in Critically III Patients Receiving Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy: A Prospective, Observational Study

BACKGROUND

Acute kidney injury (AKI) treated with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) may deplete micronutrient levels. Patients are also at risk for micronutrient depletion due to underlying illness(s), poor nutrient intake prior to intensive care unit (ICU) admission and/or increased requirements. We determined vitamin and trace element status before, during and after CRRT in critically ill patients.

METHODS

This prospective observational study performed in mixed medical and surgical ICU patients. Serial serum vitamin B6 and vitamin C concentrations were measured by HPLC and folic acid by ECLIA. Serum chromium, copper, selenium, and zinc were measured using ICP-MS. Serum ceruloplasmin was measured by the Erel method.

RESULTS

Fifty adult ICU patients with AKI were recruited. The median APACHE II score on ICU admission was high at 24.0 (6.0-33.0). The median days on CRRT was 2.0 (2.0-4.0) days. At baseline (within 10-15 minutes of CRRT initiation), serum vitamin C, selenium and zinc were below normal. Serum vitamin B6 levels at 72 hours on CRRT were significantly lower than at 24 hours (p=0.011). Serum vitamin C values fell significantly at 24 and 72 hours during CRRT (p=0.030 and p=0.001), respectively, and remained low 24 and 48 hours after CRRT was stopped (p=0.021). At baseline and during CRRT, 96% of participants had at least two or more micronutrient levels below the normal range.

CONCLUSION

Serum vitamin C, selenium and zinc concentrations were below the normal range at baseline. CRRT was associated with a significant further decrease in levels of vitamin C, selenium and zinc.

CLINICAL RELEVANCY STATEMENT

Critically ill patients who were experienced CRRT had serum vitamin C, selenium and zinc below the normal range during and after CRRT. Also, 96% of participants had at least two or more micronutrient levels below normal at baseline and during CRRT. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.