The Role of the Liver in Sepsis

Abstract

Despite the progress made in the clinical management of sepsis, sepsis morbidity and mortality rates remain high. The inflammatory pathogenesis and organ injury leading to death from sepsis are not fully understood for vital organs, especially the liver. Only recently has the role of the liver in sepsis begun to be revealed. Pre-existing liver dysfunction is a risk factor for the progression of infection to sepsis. Liver dysfunction after sepsis is an independent risk factor for multiple organ dysfunction and sepsis-induced death. The liver works as a lymphoid organ in response to sepsis. Acting as a double-edged sword in sepsis, the liver-mediated immune response is responsible for clearing bacteria and toxins but also causes inflammation, immunosuppression, and organ damage. Attenuating liver injury and restoring liver function lowers morbidity and mortality rates in patients with sepsis. This review summarizes the central role of liver in the host immune response to sepsis and in clinical outcomes.

MicroRNA-138 Aggravates Inflammatory Responses of Macrophages by Targeting SIRT1 and Regulating the NF-κB and AKT Pathways

“…The hepatic tissue shows hepatocytes necrosis and edema in sepsis. Additionally, ALT and AST, which represent the degree of liver injury, are significantly increased [26,27]. The kidney is one of the most vulnerable organs in sepsis.…”

Attenuation of sepsis-induced rat liver injury by epigallocatechin gallate via suppression of oxidative stress-related inflammation

“…Liver injury in sepsis progresses from active hepatocellular dysfunction to liver damage and finally to liver failure [3]. The liver performs a wide range of biological functions in metabolic and immunological homeostasis, and contributes to bacterial clearance in sepsis [4]. It has been demonstrated that liver failure is significantly associated with poor prognosis in critically ill sepsis patients [5].…”

Investigation of the effect of silymarin on the liver in experimental sepsis

“…There is an increasing evidence that oxidative stress has an important role in the development of sepsis-induced multiorgan failure (28). As the liver is an important organ affected by oxidative stress both in early sepsis or late sepsis and it plays an important role and it is a major organ responsible for the initiation of multiple organ dysfunction (29)(30)(31)(32).…”