Gut microbiota: A novel target for sepsis treatment

作者：Weifeng Shang, Sheng Zhang, Lechen Yang, Jiao Liu, Dechang Chen · 发表于：Chinese Medical Journal · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1097/cm9.0000000000003630 · 被引用次数：10 · 研究领域：Gut microbiota and health、Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens research、Diet and metabolism studies

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition, primarily triggered by infection, that can rapidly progress to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) without timely intervention. The gut has long been recognized as a pivotal driver in the pathogenesis of sepsis and MODS.[1] In severe sepsis and septic shock, the gut is often the first organ to be compromised and the last to recover, predisposing patients to intestinal dysbiosis and dysfunction, which further accelerates septic MODS.[2] Growing evidence highlights the crucial role of the gut microbiota in sepsis pathophysiology, as sepsis-induced disruptions in microbial composition may contribute to organ failure.[1] This interplay suggests a potential vicious cycle between gut microbiota dysregulation and sepsis progression.[3] In this editorial, we explore the gut microbiota’s role in sepsis and potential therapeutic interventions. Interplay between gut microbiota and sepsis: Observational studies consistently reveal profound gut microbiota alterations in septic patients, characterized by a depletion of commensal bacteria and an expansion of pathogenic bacterial species.[4,5] These shifts correlate with poor clinical outcomes, including increased mortality.[5] However, factors such as antibiotic administration and intensive care interventions (e.g., opioid use and proton pump inhibitors) may also contribute to dysbiosis.[3] The relationship between gut microbiota and sepsis is further supported by pre-sepsis microbiome analyses...