Scientists in Ghent have discovered a promising treatment for sepsis, which is also known as blood poisoning.
A recent study on mice suggests that a combination of vitamin B1 and glucose can significantly curb the deadly effects of sepsis, as nearly all mice survived the infection due to a restored energy metabolism. The research was published in the journal Cell Reports.
Sepsis is a severe and often fatal response of the body to an infection, in which not only pathogens are attacked but also the body’s own tissues are damaged, leading to potential failure of vital organs like the heart, kidneys, and lungs. Additionally, lactic acid accumulates in the blood, worsening the condition rapidly, contributing to approximately 11 million deaths worldwide each year, with no targeted treatment currently available.
The research team from the VIB-UGent Centre for Inflammation Research, led by Professor Claude Libert, found a surprisingly simple mechanism, demonstrating that sepsis patients experience an acute deficiency of vitamin B1 (thiamine) in their mitochondria, the energy ‘factories’ of cells. This deficiency prevents glucose from being converted into energy, instead producing harmful lactic acid.
Chief researcher Louise Nuyttens explained that they were able to show for the first time that the issue is not a lack of oxygen but a biochemical defect caused by a vitamin B1 deficiency, resulting in a halt to the energy network and rapid lactic acid build-up.
Administering vitamin B1 to mice with sepsis, first alone and then with glucose, led to a dramatic improvement, allowing the body to process glucose into energy rather than lactic acid. “Almost all mice survived. This is one of the most potent metabolic interventions we’ve ever seen,” said Professor Libert.
Although the study has only been conducted in mice so far, it lays a strong foundation for further research. The researchers plan larger preclinical studies, with the hope that this simple treatment, using widely available substances, could save human lives.
