Sepsis and multiple organ failure. 2007

Michael R Pinsky
Department of Critical Care Medicine, Bioengineering and Anesthesiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA. pinskymr@upmc.edu

OBJECTIVE Sepsis and multiple organ failure are complex processes that result from dysregulation of the immune response and its associated hematological, hemodynamic and metabolic disturbances. METHODS Review of the pathophysiological basis for sepsis and a review of the literature on its mechanisms of expression. RESULTS Sepsis is the host response to an injury, often infectious in origin, that creates both pro- and anti-inflammatory immune responses. The level and duration of this response roughly correlates with outcome. Subcellular injury characterized by increased oxidative stress defines the central mitochondrial component of this process. Treatments which minimize the amplification of this response are usually more effective at reducing tissue injury than are measures aimed at suppressing the inflammatory response. CONCLUSIONS Sepsis is a complex process whose expression and treatment are just now being defined. Treatments that minimize the overall host response still represent the most effective strategies.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007155 Immunologic Factors Biologically active substances whose activities affect or play a role in the functioning of the immune system. Biological Response Modifier,Biomodulator,Immune Factor,Immunological Factor,Immunomodulator,Immunomodulators,Biological Response Modifiers,Biomodulators,Factors, Immunologic,Immune Factors,Immunological Factors,Modifiers, Biological Response,Response Modifiers, Biological,Factor, Immune,Factor, Immunological,Factors, Immune,Factors, Immunological,Modifier, Biological Response,Response Modifier, Biological
D008928 Mitochondria Semiautonomous, self-reproducing organelles that occur in the cytoplasm of all cells of most, but not all, eukaryotes. Each mitochondrion is surrounded by a double limiting membrane. The inner membrane is highly invaginated, and its projections are called cristae. Mitochondria are the sites of the reactions of oxidative phosphorylation, which result in the formation of ATP. They contain distinctive RIBOSOMES, transfer RNAs (RNA, TRANSFER); AMINO ACYL T RNA SYNTHETASES; and elongation and termination factors. Mitochondria depend upon genes within the nucleus of the cells in which they reside for many essential messenger RNAs (RNA, MESSENGER). Mitochondria are believed to have arisen from aerobic bacteria that established a symbiotic relationship with primitive protoeukaryotes. (King & Stansfield, A Dictionary of Genetics, 4th ed) Mitochondrial Contraction,Mitochondrion,Contraction, Mitochondrial,Contractions, Mitochondrial,Mitochondrial Contractions
D009102 Multiple Organ Failure A progressive condition usually characterized by combined failure of several organs such as the lungs, liver, kidney, along with some clotting mechanisms, usually postinjury or postoperative. MODS,Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome,Organ Dysfunction Syndrome, Multiple,Organ Failure, Multiple,Failure, Multiple Organ,Multiple Organ Failures
D006360 Heat-Shock Proteins Proteins which are synthesized in eukaryotic organisms and bacteria in response to hyperthermia and other environmental stresses. They increase thermal tolerance and perform functions essential to cell survival under these conditions. Stress Protein,Stress Proteins,Heat-Shock Protein,Heat Shock Protein,Heat Shock Proteins,Protein, Stress
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D016207 Cytokines Non-antibody proteins secreted by inflammatory leukocytes and some non-leukocytic cells, that act as intercellular mediators. They differ from classical hormones in that they are produced by a number of tissue or cell types rather than by specialized glands. They generally act locally in a paracrine or autocrine rather than endocrine manner. Cytokine
D016328 NF-kappa B Ubiquitous, inducible, nuclear transcriptional activator that binds to enhancer elements in many different cell types and is activated by pathogenic stimuli. The NF-kappa B complex is a heterodimer composed of two DNA-binding subunits: NF-kappa B1 and relA. Immunoglobulin Enhancer-Binding Protein,NF-kappa B Complex,Nuclear Factor kappa B,Transcription Factor NF-kB,kappa B Enhancer Binding Protein,Ig-EBP-1,NF-kB,NF-kappaB,Nuclear Factor-Kappab,Complex, NF-kappa B,Enhancer-Binding Protein, Immunoglobulin,Factor NF-kB, Transcription,Factor-Kappab, Nuclear,Ig EBP 1,Immunoglobulin Enhancer Binding Protein,NF kB,NF kappa B Complex,NF kappaB,NF-kB, Transcription Factor,Nuclear Factor Kappab,Transcription Factor NF kB
D018384 Oxidative Stress A disturbance in the prooxidant-antioxidant balance in favor of the former, leading to potential damage. Indicators of oxidative stress include damaged DNA bases, protein oxidation products, and lipid peroxidation products (Sies, Oxidative Stress, 1991, pxv-xvi). Anti-oxidative Stress,Antioxidative Stress,DNA Oxidative Damage,Nitro-Oxidative Stress,Oxidative Cleavage,Oxidative DNA Damage,Oxidative Damage,Oxidative Injury,Oxidative Nitrative Stress,Oxidative Stress Injury,Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress,Stress, Oxidative,Anti oxidative Stress,Anti-oxidative Stresses,Antioxidative Stresses,Cleavage, Oxidative,DNA Damage, Oxidative,DNA Oxidative Damages,Damage, DNA Oxidative,Damage, Oxidative,Damage, Oxidative DNA,Injury, Oxidative,Injury, Oxidative Stress,Nitrative Stress, Oxidative,Nitro Oxidative Stress,Nitro-Oxidative Stresses,Oxidative Cleavages,Oxidative DNA Damages,Oxidative Damage, DNA,Oxidative Damages,Oxidative Injuries,Oxidative Nitrative Stresses,Oxidative Stress Injuries,Oxidative Stresses,Stress Injury, Oxidative,Stress, Anti-oxidative,Stress, Antioxidative,Stress, Nitro-Oxidative,Stress, Oxidative Nitrative,Stresses, Nitro-Oxidative
D018805 Sepsis Systemic inflammatory response syndrome with a proven or suspected infectious etiology. When sepsis is associated with organ dysfunction distant from the site of infection, it is called severe sepsis. When sepsis is accompanied by HYPOTENSION despite adequate fluid infusion, it is called SEPTIC SHOCK. Bloodstream Infection,Pyaemia,Pyemia,Pyohemia,Blood Poisoning,Poisoning, Blood,Septicemia,Severe Sepsis,Blood Poisonings,Bloodstream Infections,Infection, Bloodstream,Poisonings, Blood,Pyaemias,Pyemias,Pyohemias,Sepsis, Severe,Septicemias
D018836 Inflammation Mediators The endogenous compounds that mediate inflammation (AUTACOIDS) and related exogenous compounds including the synthetic prostaglandins (PROSTAGLANDINS, SYNTHETIC). Mediators of Inflammation,Mediators, Inflammation

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