Investigating nociceptin release from immune cells in sepsis V1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Does the release profile of nociceptin from immunocytes differ in healthy volunteers and critically ill patients with sepsis?
IRAS ID
189768
Contact name
Christopher Hebbes
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leicester
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Nociceptin is a chemical produced within the body. Both nociceptin and it's receptor have been found in cells of the immune system, and in the nervous system of humans. Clinical studies have demonstrated that, in animals, where peritonitis (infection in the abdomen) is induced, the administration of a drug to block nociceptin, more animals survive. In humans, the levels of nociceptin after injury, surgery or infection have been shown to increase.
This suggests that nociceptin may be responsible for regulation of the immune system. We know that some immune cells have the genetic material allow them to produce nociceptin, but not all cells produce it, and the production may be "switched on" during times of infection. This study aims to separate and examine the different types of immune cells of patients admitted to the intensive care unit with severe infections (sepsis) for the ability to release nociceptin, and compare the cell types with those of healthy volunteers.
We will also assess markers of illness severity in patients, prognosis and death, and examine how this relates to nociceptin levels, and cell release of nociceptin .REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/EM/0046
Date of REC Opinion
2 Mar 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion