The krebs cycle during sepsis and septic shock: a look at intermediate metabolism in hypoxia

Funcionamiento del ciclo de krebs durante la sepsis y el choque séptico. Una mirada al metabolismo intermediario durante condiciones de hipoxia

Septic shock is a condition involving hemodynamic alterations and microvascular dysfunction which lead to cellular dysfunction which is typically linked with multiple organ failure. Current management guidelines focus in reestablishing normal macro hemodynamics and biomarkers related with tissue hypoxia. This poses a clinical challenge requiring early recognition, effective infection control and optimization of hemodynamic status in the septic patient. Over the last years multiple organ involvement in septic shock has been correlated with impairment of mitochondrial function. Convective transport and immune cell metabolism have been proposed as two possible reasons for mitochondrial dysfunction during sepsis. Within the metabolic context it is evidenced that the Krebs cycle remains operational even in hypoxic environments by means of fragmentation and reprogramming of enzyme-mediated reactions, activating intermediate metabolism adaptation mechanisms in response to a septic noxa.

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