Autophagy: A potential target for rescuing sepsis-induced hepatic failure

Sepsis is the leading cause of death in intensive care units worldwide; however, it remains a scientific and clinical challenge in modern medicine. An excessive inflammatory response associated with high level of reactive oxygen species results in mitochondrial dysfunction and activation of the unfo...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Chin Hsu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2019-01-01
Series:Chinese Journal of Physiology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.cjphysiology.org/article.asp?issn=0304-4920;year=2019;volume=62;issue=2;spage=53;epage=62;aulast=Hsu
Description
Summary:Sepsis is the leading cause of death in intensive care units worldwide; however, it remains a scientific and clinical challenge in modern medicine. An excessive inflammatory response associated with high level of reactive oxygen species results in mitochondrial dysfunction and activation of the unfolded protein response leading to subsequent energetic organ failure in septic patients. In addition to blocking the inflammatory cascade directly, new strategies focusing on host endogenous adaption to severe infection may hold better promise for improving outcomes in septic patients. Autophagy is a fundamental cellular response to stress and pathogen invasion. The study of autophagic responses to sepsis is a critical component of understanding the mechanisms by which tissues respond to infection. This review aims at elucidating the role of autophagy in sepsis-induced hepatic failure and further explores the possible factor that suppresses autophagy and potential targets of augmenting autophagy, in an effort to provide a new perspective for the clinical treatment of sepsis-induced hepatic failure.
ISSN:0304-4920
2666-0059