Vitamin C for Acute Kidney Injury in ACLF With Septic Shock: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a severe condition in which patients with chronic liver disease suddenly develop liver failure, often triggered by infection. Many of these patients progress to septic shock, and acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and life-threatening complication. Current treatment options are limited, and mortality remains very high.

Vitamin C is a low-cost, widely available antioxidant and immune-modulating agent. It has shown promising results in patients with sepsis and septic shock by reducing oxidative stress, improving vascular tone, and supporting immune defense. However, its role in ACLF patients with septic shock and AKI has not been studied in a large, controlled trial.

This interventional, randomized, open-label controlled trial will enroll patients with alcohol-related ACLF, septic shock, and AKI. Participants will be randomized 1:1 to receive either intravenous Vitamin C in addition to standard medical care, or standard care alone. Clinical outcomes, including resolution of shock, progression or resolution of AKI, need for renal replacement therapy, ICU/hospital stay, and survival at 7 and 28 days will be assessed. In addition, biospecimens (blood and urine) will be analyzed to identify biomarkers that predict outcomes and response to Vitamin C therapy.

The study aims to provide evidence on the effectiveness of Vitamin C as an adjunctive therapy in this high-risk population, and to generate insights into the mechanisms of septic shock and kidney injury in ACLF.

Inclusion criteria

• ACLF as per asia pacific association for the study of liver (APASL criteria) with AKI according to KDIGO Criteria and septic shock.

Exclusion criteria

• • Refractory Septic shock with more than 3 organ failures.

• Patients with age less than 18 years
• Known severe cardiopulmonary disease (structural or valvular heart disease, coronary artery disease, COPD)
• Patients in DIC with platelets < 20,000 and INR > 4 or active bleeding
• Limitations of care (defined as refusal of cardiovascular and respiratory support modes) including "do not intubate" (DNI) status
• Current hospitalization > 15 days for patients with nosocomial acquisition of MDR at time of randomization
• Known allergy or contraindication to vitamin C (including previously or currently diagnosed primary hyperoxaluria and/or oxalate nephropathy, or known/suspected ethylene glycol ingestion,
• Known glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency)
• Use of vitamin C at a dose of > 1 gram daily within the 24 hours preceding first episode of qualifying organ dysfunction during a given ED or ICU admission
• Patients with HCC (beyond Milan) or extrahepatic malignancies
• Patients with HVOTO or EHPVO
• Pregnancy or active breastfeeding
• Current participation in another interventional research study
• Active or history of kidney stones
• History of chronic kidney disease or intrinsic kidney disease
• Patients already on maintenance hemodialysis prior to presentation
• Failure to provide informed consent
• Patients with retroviral infection
• Patients with active hemolysis due to alcohol or other causes or with hemoglobin below 7 gm/dl