Gut Microbiota and Liver Dysfunction in Sepsis: The Role of Inflammatory Mediators and Therapeutic Approaches

Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Dec 14;25(24):13415. doi: 10.3390/ijms252413415.

Abstract

Sepsis is a life-threatening complication caused by an uncontrolled immune response to infection that can lead to multi-organ dysfunction, including liver injury. Recent research has shown the critical role of gut microbiota in sepsis pathogenesis, with the gut-liver axis playing a crucial role in disease progression. Mechanisms such as the disruption of the gut barrier and liver injury pathways mediated by cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, hydrogen sulfide (H2S). and substance P (SP) have been the focus of recent studies. Some potential biomarkers and gut microbiota-targeted therapies have shown promise as emerging tools for predicting and managing sepsis. This review describes the role of the gut-liver axis in sepsis and the potential of microbiota-targeted therapies and biomarker-driven interventions to improve sepsis outcomes.

Keywords: gut microbiota; gut–liver axis; liver; sepsis; therapeutic targets.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver / microbiology
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Diseases / metabolism
  • Liver Diseases / microbiology
  • Sepsis* / complications
  • Sepsis* / metabolism
  • Sepsis* / microbiology

Substances

  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Biomarkers
  • Cytokines

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.