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Low serum α‐tocopherol and selenium are associated with accelerated apoptosis in severe sepsis
Author(s) -
Weber Stefan U.,
Lehmann Lutz Eric,
Schewe JensChristian,
Schröder Stefan,
Book Malte,
Hoeft Andreas,
Stüber Frank,
Thiele Jens T.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
biofactors
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.204
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1872-8081
pISSN - 0951-6433
DOI - 10.1002/biof.5520330203
Subject(s) - sepsis , apoptosis , micronutrient , selenium , tocopherol , medicine , phosphatidylserine , immunology , gastroenterology , vitamin e , antioxidant , biology , chemistry , pathology , biochemistry , phospholipid , organic chemistry , membrane
During sepsis, a severe systemic disorder, micronutrients often are decreased. Apoptosis is regarded as an important mechanism in the development of often significant immunosuppression in the course of the disease. This study aimed to investigate a ‐tocopherol and selenium in reference to apoptosis in patients with sepsis. 16 patients were enrolled as soon as they fulfilled the criteria of severe sepsis. 10 intensive care patients without sepsis and 11 healthy volunteers served as controls. a ‐Tocopherol, selenium and nucleosomes were measured in serum. Phosphatidylserine externalization and Bcl‐2 expression were analyzed in T‐cells by flow cytometry. Serum α‐tocopherol and selenium were decreased in severe sepsis but not in non‐septic critically ill patients ( p < 0.05). Conversely, markers of apoptosis were increased in sepsis but not in critically ill control patients: Nucleosomes were found to be elevated 3 fold in serum ( p < 0.05) and phosphatidylserine was externalized on an expanded subpopulation of T‐cells ( p < 0.05) while Bcl‐2 was expressed at lower levels ( p < 0.05). The decrease of micronutrients correlated with markers of accelerated apoptosis. Accelerated apoptosis in sepsis is associated with low α‐tocopherol and selenium. The results support the investigation of micronutrient supplementation strategies in severe sepsis.