Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Science Communicator Platform

Stay connected! Follow us on X network (Twitter):
Share this content! On (X network) By
Effects of Nebulized Hypertonic Saline on Inflammatory Mediators in Patients With Severe Covid-19 Pneumonia: A Double-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial Publisher Pubmed



Beigmohammadi MT1 ; Amoozadeh L1 ; Naghibi N1 ; Eslami B1 ; Fattah Ghazi S1 ; Javaherian M2 ; Khajehazad MA3 ; Tabatabaei B2 ; Abdollahi A4 ; Nazar E5
Authors
Show Affiliations
Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Intensive Care Unit, Imam Khomeini Hospital, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. General Practitioner, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Imam Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  5. 5. Department of Pathology, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Source: Science Progress Published:2023


Abstract

Introduction: An exaggerated immune response is considered the most important aspect of COVID-19 pathogenesis. Hypertonic saline (HS) has shown promise in combating inflammation in several respiratory diseases. We investigated the effects of nebulized HS on clinical symptoms and inflammatory status in patients with severe novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) pneumonia. Materials and Methods: We randomly assigned 60 adults admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to severe COVID-19 pneumonia to the experimental (received nebulized 5% saline) and control (received nebulized distilled water) groups. All interventions were applied 4 times daily for 5 days. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and other clinical factors from venous blood were evaluated before and after intervention application. Mortality rate, intubation rate, and durations of ICU and hospital stay were also compared between groups. Results: The levels of TNF-α (MD: −21.35 [−32.29, −10.40], P = 0.000) and IL-6 (−9.94 [−18.86, −1.02], P = 0.003) were lower in the experimental group compared to the control group after applying the interventions. The levels of white blood cell count, PO2, and serum sodium were also statistically significant differences between groups. However, we did not observe significant differences in terms of hospitalization durations and mortality rates. Conclusion: Nebulization of HS in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia appears to be effective in reducing inflammation, but does not appear to affect intubation rates, mortality, hospitalization, or length of stay in ICU. © The Author(s) 2023.