Startseite Medizin Research progress on autophagy and its roles in sepsis induced organ injury
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Research progress on autophagy and its roles in sepsis induced organ injury

  • Lin Wei , Ruifeng Xu , Weikai Wang und Nannan He ORCID logo EMAIL logo
Veröffentlicht/Copyright: 17. Dezember 2025

Abstract

Sepsis, characterized by life-threatening organ dysfunction resulting from the host’s dysregulated immune response to infection, remains a formidable challenge in the medical field, primarily due to its high incidence and mortality rates. Autophagy, an evolutionarily conserved intracellular degradation system, ensures cellular homeostasis by degrading cytoplasmic proteins, damaged organelles, and lipids through a lysosome-dependent pathway. In response to diverse stressors, autophagy is activated as a fundamental self-protective mechanism, playing pivotal roles in maintaining cellular and organismal health. As a vital component of the innate immune defense system, autophagy is intricately involved in the pathogenesis and progression of sepsis, and is closely associated with sepsis-induced multi-organ dysfunction. Accumulating evidence indicates that enhancing autophagic activity during sepsis can confer protective effects on tissues, and the efficacy of clinical interventions correlates significantly with the level of autophagy. This review comprehensively summarizes the latest advances in understanding the regulatory mechanisms of cellular autophagy in sepsis-induced organ dysfunction. Additionally, it delves into the role of mitophagy pathways and their potential as therapeutic targets for septic organ dysfunction. Modulating autophagy using inducers or inhibitors represents a promising novel strategy for treating sepsis-induced organ injury, potentially improving the prognosis for sepsis patients.

Introduction

Sepsis, which is triggered by pathogen infection, represents a dysregulation of the host immune response, manifesting as a complex inflammatory response syndrome [1]. Autophagy, a cellular self-protection mechanism, maintains cellular homeostasis by facilitating the programmed degradation of organelles and proteins [2]. In yeast, autophagy is considered a physiological response to nutrient scarcity, maintaining nutritional supply through the non-selective sequestration of cytoplasmic contents, which are then recycled as essential metabolic substrates. Simultaneously, misfolded proteins and surplus organelles are degraded via various types of selective autophagy processes [3]. The enhancement of autophagy activity is intricately associated with inflammatory responses, immune cell survival, and function. An elevated autophagy activity contributes to the amelioration of organ dysfunction, as evidenced by an increase in the number of autophagic vacuoles and upregulated expression of autophagy-related proteins (Atg) [4]. However, despite autophagy’s generally recognized role as a beneficial cellular protective mechanism, both excessive and insufficient levels of autophagy can be detrimental to the organism. Notably, hyperactive autophagy can lead to cell death. Significantly, these biphasic effects are stage-dependent. In the early stage of sepsis, autophagy serves as a cytoprotective response, aiding in the clearance of pathogens and damaged cellular components. Conversely, in the late stage of sepsis, sustained hyperactivation of autophagy often results in pathological outcomes due to prolonged energy depletion and exacerbated inflammation. This review aims to summarize the latest research progress on autophagy in sepsis, with the goal of deepening our understanding of the potential role of autophagy in the pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies of sepsis.

Autophagy

Classification of autophagy

Autophagy encompasses three primary forms: macroautophagy, microautophagy, and chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) [5]. Microautophagy involves direct invagination of the lysosome membrane to engulf and degrade cytoplasmic substrates. In contrast, CMA relies on chaperone proteins, such as Hsc70, to guide target proteins containing a KFERQ-like motif to lysosomal-associated membrane protein type 2A (LAMP-2A) for translocation into the lysosome. Macroautophagy, accounting for approximately 95 % of autophagic activity, is the predominant pathway for degrading intracellular organelles and proteins [5]. This process involves the formation of double-membrane autophagosomes that sequester cytosolic carg, including damaged mitochondria, misfolded proteins, and invading pathogens. Autophagosomes subsequently fuse with lysosomes to form autophagolysosomes, where acidic hydrolases degrade the cargo into metabolic precursors (e.g., amino acids and fatty acids) for energy production and biosynthetic processes [6]. During infection, autophagy synergizes with the immune system by targeting pathogens for degradation (xenophagy) and regulating antigen presentation, lymphocyte activation, and cytokine production [7]. However, the precise mechanisms underlying autophagy-immune crosstalk require further investigation.

Mechanisms of autophagy generation

Autophagy is a highly regulated process involving four sequential stages: induction, autophagosome formation, autophagosome-lysosome fusion, and cargo degradation (see Figure 1, a brief overview of the autophagy process) [8]. Various stimuli, including nutrient deprivation, oxidative stress, pathogen infection, and ER stress, initiate autophagy through conserved signaling pathways [9]. In mammalian cells, the serine/threonine kinases mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) serve as central regulators of autophagy induction. Under nutrient-rich conditions, mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) phosphorylates and inhibits the ULK1/Atg13/FIP200 complex, suppressing autophagy initiation. Conversely, nutrient depletion or cellular stress activates AMPK, which phosphorylates and activates ULK1 while inhibiting mTORC1, thereby triggering autophagy [10].

Figure 1: 
The overall autophagic process, associated structures, and participating molecular complexes.
Figure 1:

The overall autophagic process, associated structures, and participating molecular complexes.

Activated ULK1 phosphorylates components of the class III phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) complex, including Beclin-1 (Atg6), Vps34, and p150, leading to the generation of phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PI3P) at the phagophore assembly site (PAS) [11]. PI3P recruits WD-repeat domain phosphoinositide-interacting protein 1 (WIPI1/2) and Atg18, facilitating the assembly of the autophagosomal membrane. The phagophore, a cup-shaped double-membrane structure, expands through two ubiquitin-like conjugation systems: the Atg12-Atg5-Atg16L1 complex and the microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) system [12]. LC3 is initially processed by Atg4 to generate LC3-I, which is then conjugated to phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) by Atg7 (E1-like enzyme) and Atg3 (E2-like enzyme), forming membrane-bound LC3-II (LC3-PE). LC3-II decorates the autophagosomal membrane and mediates cargo recruitment through interaction with autophagy receptors, such as p62/SQSTM1 [12].

Upon completion of cargo encapsulation, autophagosomes mature and fuse with lysosomes via a process mediated by SNARE proteins (e.g., syntaxin 17) and Rab GTPases (e.g., Rab7) [13]. The resulting autolysosomes degrade the cargo using lysosomal hydrolases, and the breakdown products are released into the cytosol for reuse [14]. Dysregulation of autophagic flux, such as impaired autophagosome-lysosome fusion or lysosomal dysfunction, can lead to the accumulation of damaged organelles and toxic aggregates, contributing to cellular dysfunction and disease pathogenesis. Maintaining the balance between autophagy and apoptosis remains a critical area of research, particularly in the context of sepsis-induced organ injury.

Autophagy and multi-organ dysfunction in sepsis

Sepsis is frequently associated with multi-organ dysfunction and high mortality rate, particularly among intensive care unit (ICU) patients. During sepsis progression, a complex interplay of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses occurs. Most patients transition from an initial hyperinflammatory phase to a prolonged immunosuppressive state, often leading to adverse clinical outcomes. Therefore, restoring the balance of the host’s inflammatory response and regulating cellular fate are critical therapeutic objectives in sepsis management. Autophagy, owning to its function in eliminateing abnormal intracellular proteins and maintaining organelle integrity, has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for sepsis [15]. This process plays a pivotal role in pathogen clearance and the modulation of the inflammatory response triggered by pathogens or their components, such as viral DNA or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The absence of autophagy can lead to uncontrolled infection and excessive inflammation, both of which are central to sepsis pathogenesis.

Sepsis-induced autophagy is initiated by the binding of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) on microbial structures to pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), including C-type lectins, retinoic acid-inducible gene 1 (RIG-I), and Toll-like receptors (TLRs) [16]. This interaction triggers a cascade of intracellular events, promoting the conversion of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3-I (LC3-I) to LC3-II and enhancing autophagic activity. A recent study demonstrated that LPS from Gram-negative bacteria binding to TLR4 and polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid binding to TLR3 contribute to TLRs/zVAD-induced autophagic and necroptotic cell death [17]. Aberrant autophagic regulation directly or indirectly impacts sepsis-induced multi-organ dysfunction. In a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) mouse model of sepsis, melatonin-induced autophagy significantly prolonged survival and mitigated injury in multiple organs, including the lung, liver, kidney, and small intestine [18]. Similarly, exogenous 3-hydroxybutyrate supplementation upregulated autophagy by increasing autophagic lysosome formation, improving survival rates and protecting against sepsis-induced lung injury [19]. These findings highlight the crucial role of autophagy in regulating multi-organ dysfunction during sepsis (Table 1). Key autophagy signaling pathways associated with sepsis-induced organ injuries are summarized in Table 2.

Table 1:

The general roles of autophagy in different organs of sepsis.

Organ Roles Specific effects Molecular mechanisms Ref.
Liver Protection Help liver cells clear accumulated harmful substances, promoting metabolism and maintaining liver health Degrade and recycle damaged intracellular components, generating energy and small molecules for other cells to use [10], 30], 31]
Heart Protection Target and degrade damaged mitochondria to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis, thereby protecting ischemic cardiomyocytes Involve the parkin–dependent and–independent mechanisms [20], [21], [22], [23]
Lungs Protection Regulate the production of inflammatory factors and reduce cell death in sepsis Inhibit the secretion of IL-1β, IL-1, and IL-18 by macrophages and dendritic cells induced by toll-like receptors [40], 42]
Kidneys Protection Reduce renal tubular epithelial cell damage Inhibit the synthesis of TNF-α and other inflammatory factors, thereby inhibiting the inflammatory response [25], 50]
Gastrointestinal tract Protection Dysfunction can lead to inflammation and increase the risk of intestinal diseases, while regulating autophagy may help prevent and treat these diseases Dysfunction can lead to the accumulation of waste products within cells, triggering inflammation [54], 55]
Brain Protection Reduce inflammation and neuronal autophagic cell death, thus exerting neuroprotective effects Expression changes of ATGs such as Beclin-1 and LC3 affect neuronal autophagy and inflammatory responses [24]
Table 2:

The main autophagy signaling pathways associated with sepsis-induced organ injuries.

Signaling pathway Activation conditions Key molecules Mechanism of action Impact on organ damage Characteristics Ref.
mTOR Inflammatory factors, energy deficiency mTOR, ULK1 Inactivation of mTOR → release the inhibition of ULK1 → initiate autophagy Moderate protection, excessive promotion of damage Key regulatory node [10], 37]
AMPK Insufficient cellular energy (AMP/ATP↑) AMPK, ULK1 Activation of AMPK → phosphorylate ULK1 → enhance autophagy Maintain metabolism, excessive activation leads to apoptosis Energy-sensitive regulation [10], 33]
PI3K-class III Cellular stress, damage signals PI3K-class III, PI3P Generate PI3P → recruit autophagic proteins → form autophagosomes Remove waste, excessive activation depletes cells Key pathway for autophagosome formation [31], 41]
p53 DNA damage, oxidative stress p53, DRAM1, BECN1 Regulate genes in the nucleus, activate BECN1 in the cytoplasm → promote autophagy Balance repair and damage Dual-regulatory characteristics [25]
Nrf2 Oxidative stress, inflammatory environment Nrf2, Keap1 Nrf2 detaches from Keap1 → enters the nucleus → regulate autophagy-related genes Antioxidant protection, prevent deterioration Coupling of antioxidant and autophagy [26]
TLR Recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns mTOR, ULK1 Indirectly affect the expression of autophagy-related proteins after activation Regulate the balance between immunity and autophagy Pathway associated with immune response [17]

Autophagy in sepsis-induced liver injury

Sepsis-induced liver dysfunction significantly contributes to patient morbidity and mortality, with hepatic autophagy exerting a biphasic effect on disease progression. In the early stage of sepsis, hepatocyte autophagy acts as a protective mechanism, clearing damaged organelles and misfolded proteins via the autophagosome-lysosome pathway [27]. TLR4-mediated signaling predominantly drives early autophagy induction in hepatocytes, promoting LC3 lipidation and the removal of damaged mitochondria, thereby preserving hepatic metabolic function. However, excessive autophagy activation during sepsis can paradoxically exacerbate liver injury. Hyperactive calpain, a calcium-dependent protease, cleaves essential autophagy-related proteins (Atg5, Atg7), disrupting autophagosome formation and autophagolysosome degradation [28]. The positive correlation between calpain activity and cleaved Atg5 levels suggests a mechanistic link between calpain over-activation and autophagic dysfunction in sepsis [29].

At the cellular level, excessive autophagy leads to the hyper-degradation of critical organelles. Over-degradation of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) disrupts protein synthesis and lipid metabolism, impairing plasma protein production and lipoprotein assembly. Damage to the Golgi apparatus further compromises cellular secretory functions, including bile formation and detoxification. Accelerated mitochondrial degradation reduces ATP production, limiting the energy available for hepatocyte functions. Mechanistically, excessive autophagy primes hepatocytes for apoptosis by upregulating pro-apoptotic Bax and downregulating anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, creating a pro-death signaling environment [30].

In late-stage sepsis, declining autophagic flux is closely associated with hepatic failure, emphasizing the dynamic nature of autophagy regulation in sepsis. Late-stage autophagic dysfunction, characterized by calpain-mediated cleavage of Atg5/Atg7, results in defective autophagosome-lysosome fusion and the accumulation of damaged organelles. This biphasic response underscores the complexity of autophagy’s role: while initial induction is cytoprotective, sustained hyperactivity becomes pathogenic. Emerging therapeutic strategies aim to restore this balance: thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) enhances protective autophagy via the PI3K/Akt/STAT3 pathway [31]; CD36 blockade restores autophagic flux by preserving SNARE protein integrity [27]; and homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 2 (HIPK2) reinstates autophagy through the AMPK/SIRT1 pathways [32]. Dexmedetomidine and trichostatin A (TSA) also exhibit protective effects by modulating autophagy via FoxO3a-dependent mechanisms [33], 34].

Collectively, these findings highlight autophagy’s dual role in sepsis-induced liver injury: early protection vs. later exacerbation of pathology. However, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding the spatiotemporal regulation of autophagy between hepatocytes and non-parenchymal cells. Future research should leverage single-cell sequencing techniques to map autophagic flux dynamics and identify novel therapeutic targets. Additionally, developing spatiotemporally specific autophagy modulators (e.g., hepatocyte-targeted rapamycin derivatives) may optimize treatment strategies for sepsis-induced liver injury.

Autophagy in sepsis-induced myocardial injury

During sepsis-induced myocardial injury, autophagy is activated to attenuate inflammatory responses and maintain mitochondrial homeostasis. Early-phase autophagy (within 24 h) is predominantly protective, mediated by activation of the AMPK/mTOR axis, which enhances mitophagy and suppresses NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation. Studies have highlighted autophagy’s protective roles in eliminating damaged mitochondria and reducing apoptosis. For instance, luteolin mitigates LPS-induced myocardial injury by enhancing autophagy via AMPK activation [20]. Metformin pretreatment alleviates sepsis-related myocardial injury through AMPK/mTOR-mediated autophagy [21], while phlorizin improves cardiac function by promoting autophagy flux via the Hif-1α/Bnip3 axis [22]. Semaglutide also exerts cardioprotection by reactivating autophagy through the AMPK signaling pathway [23].

However, both excessive and insufficient autophagy can exacerbate myocardial injury. Late-phase autophagy (after 48 h) often becomes pathological due to over-activation of PKCβ2, leading to mitochondrial hyper-clearance and energy depletion. For instance, LPS-triggered myocardial injury is associated with exaggerated PKCβ2-mediatd autophagy, which is mitigated by PKCβ2 inhibition [35]. Similarly, Annexin A1 short peptide reduces myocardial damage by upregulating SIRT3 to inhibit autophagy [36]. Exogenous NaHS also protects against septic cardiomyopathy by inhibiting autophagy via the AMPK/mTOR pathway [37].

Conversely, impaired autophagy promotes mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammation. Inhibition of autophagy with 3-methyladenine (3-MA) abolishes the cardioprotective effects of clemastine, indicating that basal autophagy is essential for maintaining mitochondrial integrity [38]. Moreover, genetic ablation of autophagy-related gene in cardiomyocytes worsens LPS-induced myocardial dysfunction, highlighting autophagy’s critical role in preserving cardiac function during sepsis. These findings underscore autophagy’s dual role in sepsis-induced myocardial injury: moderate autophagy is protective, while dysregulation (excessive or insufficient) contributes to pathology. Future studies should explore context-specific mechanisms of autophagy modulation to optimize therapies for septic cardiomyopathy.

The biphasic nature of autophagy in septic cardiomyopathy necessitates context-specific interventions. Current challenges include distinguishing between cardioprotective basal autophagy and pathological hyper-autophagy. Emerging approaches, such as targeted inhibition of PKCβ2 to blunt excessive autophagy while preserving basal flux, show promise. Mechanistic studies should also investigate how mitochondrial dynamics intersect with autophagy in cardiomyocytes during sepsis. Developing non-invasive biomarkers to monitor autophagic status in vivo would enable personalized therapeutic decisions.

Autophagy in sepsis-induced lung injury

Autophagy plays a critical protective role in sepsis-induced lung injury by regulating inflammation, apoptosis, and mitochondrial function. Early autophagy induction reduces alveolar epithelial apoptosis via Beclin-1-dependent pathways. In contrast, late-stage autophagy may promote cell death through excessive mitophagy. Early activation of autophagy via inducers like rapamycin reduces apoptotic cell death and inflammation [39]. Hyperoside alleviates lung injury by modulating autophagy and suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation [40], while heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)-mediated autophagy protects against LPS-induced damage through the PI3K/Akt pathway [41]. Dexmedetomidine also exerts protective effects via autophagy and Smad2/3 signaling [42]. Estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERRα) promotes autophagy to maintain epithelial integrity and reduce apoptosis [43], whereas impaired autophagic flux due to neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) exacerbates lung injury [44].

However, dysregulated autophagy can drive pathogenesis. Late-stage autophagic dysfunction, associated with NETs-induced impairment of autophagic flux, exacerbating NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Excessive autophagy in late sepsis may overwhelm cellular repair mechanisms, leading to mitochondrial depletion and alveolar epithelial cell death [45]. For example, melatonin mitigates acute lung injury by suppressing excessive mitophagy [46]. Conversely, impaired autophagy hinders the clearance of damaged mitochondria, promoting reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Pharmacological inhibition of autophagy with chloroquine exacerbates lung inflammation and injury in septic mice [47]. Additionally, genetic ablation of autophagy-related gene in alveolar macrophages may increases susceptibility to LPS-induced lung injury by blocking autophagy-mediated bacterial clearance. These findings highlight autophagy’s biphasic role in septic lung injury: protective when moderately activated, but detrimental when dysregulated. Future studies should focus on the spatiotemporal regulation of autophagy to develop precision therapies for sepsis-associated respiratory failure.

Autophagy in sepsis-induced renal injury

Autophagy in renal tubular epithelial cells (RTEC) is recognized as a cytoprotective mechanism in septic acute kidney injury (AKI). Early autophagy activation in RTECs is mediated by p53 deacetylation, promoting mitochondrial quality control and reducing ROS accumulation. Recent studies reveal that sepsis triggers autophagy in renal endothelial cells, and enhancing autophagy in these cells mitigates endothelial and kidney damage [48]. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) has been reported to exert protective effects against sepsis, with its renoprotective role attributed to autophagy enhancement [49]. The tumor suppressor p53 deacetylation attenuates sepsis-induced AKI by promoting autophagy, suggesting its therapeutic potential [25]. Serum 5-MTP levels are correlated with renal function and upregulate Nrf2 expression via activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway, thereby promoting renal tubular mitophagy and alleviating septic AKI [26]. These findings highlight autophagy as a crucial mediator of renal resilience during sepsis.

However, both excessive and insufficient autophagy can exacerbate renal injury. Late-stage autophagy often becomes maladaptive due to FTO demethylase-mediated suppression of Atg7, impairing mitophagy and enhancing NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Excessive autophagy may drive cell death and inflammation. For example, liensinine alleviates sepsis-AKI by reducing excessive autophagy [50], while ulinastatin preserves renal microcirculation by suppressing autophagy [51]. Conversely, impaired autophagy impairs mitochondrial quality control and exacerbates injury. FTO demethylase protects against LPS-induced AKI by suppressing autophagy via the SNHG14/miR-373-3p/Atg7 axis [52]. Nevertheless, the dual-role mechanism of autophagy in sepsis-induced renal injury remains unclear, potentially linked to the multiple signaling pathways regulated by autophagy. Thus, while autophagy induction confers protection, its dysregulation (excessive or insufficient) contributes to renal dysfunction. Future research should focus on spatiotemporal modulation of autophagy to optimize therapeutic strategies for sepsis-AKI.

Autophagy in sepsis-induced gastrointestinal diseases

Autophagy plays a pivotal role in degrading damaged organelles and proteins, particularly mitochondria and ROS. Early autophagy induction preserves intestinal barrier integrity by eliminating damaged mitochondria and maintaining E-cadherin expression. In sepsis-induced gastrointestinal diseases, autophagy mitigates intestinal inflammation by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-18 [53]. Mitophagy, the selective degradation of dysfunctional mitochondria, prevents ROS accumulation and inflammasome activation, thereby preserving intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) integrity [54]. Autophagy also maintains mucosal barrier function by ensuring proper adhesion of IECs to the basement membrane [55].

However, both excessive and insufficient autophagy contributes to pathological outcomes. Late-stage autophagy may disrupt barrier function via excessive degradation of adhesion proteins, promoting bacterial translocation and systemic inflammation. Excessive autophagy can disrupt intestinal barrier integrity by degrading essential adhesion proteins (e.g., E-cadherin), leading to increased permeability and bacterial translocation [55]. Conversely, impaired autophagy results in p62 accumulation, activating nuclear factor (NF)-κB and promoting IL-1β/IL-18 overproduction [53]. This creates a vicious cycle of inflammation and epithelial damage. These findings highlight the critical balance of autophagy in gastrointestinal health during sepsis: moderate autophagy protects against injury, while dysregulation amplifies inflammation and barrier dysfunction. Future studies should explore targeted modulation of autophagy to restore intestinal homeostasis in septic patients.

Autophagy in sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE)

SAE is characterized by diffuse brain dysfunction secondary to sepsis, with autophagy playing a critical role in its pathogenesis. Low-dose dexamethasone improves cortical pathology in SAE rats by enhancing neuronal autophagy and inhibiting mTOR signaling, whereas high-dose dexamethasone exacerbates injury by suppressing autophagy [24]. Inhibiting the NF-κB pathway promotes autophagic flux and neuronal repair, while p62 accumulation due to impaired autophagy activates NF-κB and exacerbates inflammation [56]. Probenecid treatment in SAE mice increases LC3-II/LC3-I ratios, indicating enhanced autophagy, which correlates with improved outcomes [57]. Selenium-binding protein 2 (SESN2) also attenuates SAE by promoting unc-51-like kinase 1 (ULK1)-dependent autophagy via the AMPK/mTOR pathway [58].

However, both excessive and insufficient autophagy contribute to SAE progression. Excessive autophagy may drive neuronal death through mitochondrial over-clearance and energy depletion. Conversely, impaired autophagy leads to the accumulation of damaged mitochondria and misfolded proteins, triggering neuroinflammation. Pharmacological inhibition of autophagy with 3-MA worsens SAE pathology, highlighting the necessity of basal autophagy for neuronal survival [57]. These findings emphasize the biphasic role of autophagy in SAE: moderate autophagy maintains neuronal homeostasis, whereas dysregulation amplifies injury. Future studies should explore precision modulation of autophagy to mitigate SAE-related cognitive decline.

Autophagy and the adaptive immune response in sepsis

Although autophagy’s role in sepsis has been characterized in multiple organs, its involvement in the adaptive immune system remains poorly understood. Studies demonstrat that sepsis induces apoptosis in lymphocytes and dendritic cells (DCs), leading to immunosuppression. This state not only hinders primary infection clearance but also increases susceptibility to secondary infections. In late sepsis, massive lymphocyte apoptosis causes profound immune dysfunction, threatening patient survival. Therefore, investigating autophagy’s role and mechanisms in sepsis-induced splenic injury holds significant academic and clinical value for sepsis prevention and treatment.

TNF-α-induced protein 8-like 2 (TIPE2), a newly identified negative immunoregulatory protein, participates in cellular immune responses to infections. A recent study revealed that TIPE2 suppresses DC autophagic activity by inhibiting the TAK1/JNK signaling pathway, thereby negatively regulating DC immune function during septic complications [59]. Sepsis-induced splenic injury involves systemic inflammation. Alpha-ketoglutaric acid (AKG), a key tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediate, mitigates LPS-induced splenic oxidative stress by modulating mitochondrial dynamics and autophagy [60]. Septic mice exhibit elevated serum and splenic IL-35 levels, an immunosuppressive cytokine that inhibits CD4+ T-cell proliferation and differentiation. This may involve reducing high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1)-dependent autophagy [61].

Mitophagy and sepsis

Mitophagy serves as a compensatory mechanism for sepsis-induced inflammatory responses. It selectively removes damaged mitochondria caused by oxidative stress, calcium overload, and energy metabolism disorders, preserving cell viability and ATP production [62]. Previous studies have linked mitophagy to suppressed inflammatory factor production (e.g. interleukin-1β, NLRP3 inflammasome) and reduced ROS-induced cellular damage, thereby mitigating sepsis-related organ injury [63].

In sepsis models, LPS impairs mitophagy in macrophages, enhancing mitochondrial ROS production. Dysfunctional mitochondria accumulate, releasing ROS, cytochrome c, and mtDNA into the cytoplasm, which activates the NLRP3 inflammasome and caspase-1, promoting pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-18 and IL-1β) release and exacerbating sepsis [64], 65]. During sepsis, excessive inflammatory factors induce oxidative stress and acute injury in organs like the heart, lungs, and liver. Mitophagy is hypothesized to eliminate damaged mitochondria and suppress hyperinflammation, aiding infection control and organ protection. High mitophagic activity correlates with favorable sepsis outcomes. PHB1 regulates the NLRP3 inflammasome via mitophagy in inflammatory conditions, including sepsis [66]. Studies confirm that activating mitophagy improves mitochondrial quality control, renal tubular epithelial cell survival, and renal function, alleviating sepsis-induced acute kidney injury [67]. Mitophagy in sepsis primarily operates via Parkin-dependent and Parkin-independent pathways, offering insights into therapeutic targets.

Parkin-dependent pathway

The Parkin-dependent pathway, primarily the PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1)-Parkin pathway, is central to mitophagy [68]. PINK1 (a serine/threonine kinase) and Parkin (an E3 ubiquitin ligase) maintain mitochondrial homeostasis. Under physiological conditions, Parkin resides in the cytoplasm with suppressed ubiquitin ligase activity, while PINK1 is cleaved and localizes to the mitochondrial inner membrane. Inflammatory/oxidative stress triggers mitochondrial depolarization, reducing membrane potential. This leads to PINK1 translocation to the outer mitochondrial membrane, ubiquitination of Parkin, and subsequent Parkin recruitment to mitochondria. PINK1 aggregation and Parkin activation on damaged mitochondria are critical for dysfunctional mitochondrial clearance. Studies show Parkin translocates from cytoplasm to mitochondria during sepsis-induced organ injury, initiating mitophagy [67], 69]. Inhibition of the PINK1-Parkin pathway exacerbates septic organ damage [67], 69], underscoring its pathological significance.

Parkin-independent pathway

In sepsis, Parkin-independent mitophagy pathways involve Fun14 domain-containing protein 1 (FUNDC1), Bcl-2 interacting protein 3 (BNIP3), and dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1). FUNDC1, a mitochondrial outer membrane protein with critical residues (Ser13, Ser17, Tyr18), has phosphorylated Tyr18 that weakens FUNDC1-LC3B binding and inhibits mitophagy under normal conditions, while hypoxia/oxidative stress dephosphorylates serine residues to enhance FUNDC1-LC3B interaction and promote damaged mitochondrial clearance [70], and hydrogen therapy protects against sepsis-induced liver injury via FUNDC1-mediated mitophagy [71]. BNIP3, a Bcl-2 family protein with an atypical BH3 domain localized to the mitochondrial outer membrane, interacts with PINK1 to recruit Parkin and enhance Parkin-dependent mitophagy [72], and BNIP3 activation attenuates inflammation and tubular damage in CLP-induced septic acute kidney injury [73]. Drp1, a 96 kD GTPase involved in mitochondrial fission, requires multimerization and recruitment to mitochondria for mitophagy initiation [74], and elevated Drp1 levels are correlated with mitochondrial damage, reduced ATP production, and impaired mitochondrial complex activity in LPS-induced septic cardiomyopathy [75].

Mitophagy suppresses inflammation via both pathways, improving sepsis-related multi-organ dysfunction. However, preclinical research lacks clinical translation, hindered by unclear long-term effects of mitophagy modulation and species-specific differences in Parkin-dependent pathways. Future efforts should focus on: Developing organ-specific mitophagy enhancers (e.g., mitochondrially targeted peptides); Combining mitophagy induction with anti-inflammatory therapies; Validating mitophagy biomarkers (e.g., plasma mtDNA levels) in clinical trials to predict prognosis and guide precision medicine, ultimately reducing sepsis mortality.

Autophagy modulators in the treatment of sepsis

The pathological process of sepsis involves complex cell-molecule interactions, with autophagy, an intracellular degradation process, playing a pivotal role in its pathogenesis and treatment. Autophagy inducers and inhibitors, as key regulators of autophagic pathways, influence sepsis progression and therapeutic outcomes.

Autophagy inducers

Autophagy inducers activate cellular autophagy to eliminate damaged organelles and proteins, maintain cellular homeostasis, and alleviate sepsis-induced tissue damage and inflammation. Rapamycin, a classic autophagy inducer, has been extensively studied in sepsis. In a CLP-induced sepsis rat model, rapamycin protected against organ injury by promoting autophagy-mediated inactivation of the NLRP3 inflammasome [76]. Specifically, rapamycin improved survival rates and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, inhibited levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr), malondialdehyde (MDA), and inflammatory markers, and reduced bacterial counts in the blood, lung, liver, and kidney. Additionally, rapamycin mitigated pathological damage in the lung, liver, and kidney, decreased ASC, pro-caspase 1, and NLRP3 levels, and increased Beclin-1 expression and the LC3-II/LC3-I ratio in organ tissues [76].

Rapamycin’s therapeutic effects extend to other sepsis models. For example, in septic mice with intestinal epithelial apoptosis and barrier dysfunction, rapamycin reduced apoptosis and restored intestinal permeability by enhancing autophagy. This was evidenced by decreased serum diamine oxidase (DAO) and fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran 40 (FD40) levels and upregulated barrier integrity proteins [77]. These findings highlight the potential of autophagy inducers for sepsis treatment.

Autophagy inhibitors

In contrast to inducers, autophagy inhibitors slow cellular self-digestion by blocking autophagic activation, potentially reducing sepsis-induced tissue damage and inflammation under specific conditions. Chloroquine, a widely used autophagy inhibitor, has garnered attention in sepsis research. In a CLP-induced polymicrobial sepsis mouse model, chloroquine pretreatment exacerbated inflammatory responses and organ injury [47]. In vitro studies using chloroquine to suppress autophagy observed reduced neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation in polymorphonuclear neutrophils [78], indicating complex effects on sepsis pathogenesis.

Other autophagy inhibitors have also shown promise. For instance, clemastine alleviates cardiac structural/functional damage, mitochondrial injury, and myocardial apoptosis by promoting autophagy, but this effect is abolished by the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) [38]. These results underscore the therapeutic value of autophagy inhibitors in sepsis.

While rapamycin and chloroquine exhibit efficacy in preclinical models, their clinical translation is hindered by off-target effects and pharmacokinetic limitations. Further mechanistic studies are needed to clarify autophagy modulators’ specific roles in sepsis. Rational drug design based on autophagy protein-protein interaction structures (e.g., Atg12-Atg5 binding) may yield safer agents. Nanotechnology-based delivery systems could enhance tissue specificity and minimize systemic toxicity. Clinical trials and real-world evidence studies, particularly in diverse patient populations, are essential to validate optimal application strategies and solidify autophagy modulators’ role in sepsis therapy (Table 3).

Table 3:

Autophagy modulators in sepsis treatment.

Modulator Type Mechanism Experimental model Key findings Ref.
Rapamycin Inducer Inhibits mTOR, activates autophagy CLP-induced sepsis in rats Reduced organ damage, suppressed NLRP3 inflammasome, improved survival rate [39], 76], 77]
3-Hydroxybutyrate Inducer Activates GPR109α, enhances autophagic flux LPS-induced sepsis in mice Protected against lung injury, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines [19]
Chloroquine Inhibitor Blocks autophagosome-lysosome fusion CLP-induced sepsis in mice Exacerbated inflammation and organ damage when used alone [47], 78]
Clemastine Inducer Promotes autophagy via AMPK/mTOR pathway LPS-induced myocardial injury in vitro Attenuated myocardial apoptosis, preserved mitochondrial function [38]
Melatonin Bidirectional modulator Enhances protective autophagy at low doses, suppresses excessive mitophagy at high doses CLP-induced sepsis in mice Improved survival, reduced oxidative stress in multiple organs [18], 46]
Luteolin Inducer Activates AMPK, enhances autophagy LPS-induced myocardial injury in mice Reduced cardiac dysfunction, suppressed pro-apoptotic markers [20]

Clinical translation of autophagy modulation in sepsis treatment

Preclinical studies have significantly advanced our understanding of autophagy modulation in sepsis, but translating these findings into clinical practice remains challenging. Current evidence supporting autophagy inducers/inhibitors for sepsis primarily derives from in vitro cell experiments and animal models. For example, rapamycin’s organ-protective effects in sepsis have been demonstrated in rat models, while chloroquine’s impact on autophagy and sepsis outcomes relies on mouse studies. A major hurdle is the lack of robust human clinical trial data.

Key challenges in clinical implementation

Patient heterogeneity in sepsis patients involves variability in causative pathogens, comorbidities, and disease stages, leading to divergent responses to autophagy modulation [79], such as differing reactions to autophagy-enhancing agents between immunosuppressed patients and those with intact immune systems. Precision regulation of autophagy levels requires defining optimal dosing and timing in clinical translation despite controlled administration in preclinical models, as both excessive and insufficient autophagy can be detrimental [80], necessitating real-time monitoring of autophagic flux (e.g., LC3-II/LC3-I ratios, p62 levels) for personalized therapy. Targeted drug delivery is critical to ensure autophagy modulators reach damaged organs (e.g., septic lungs or kidneys) while minimizing systemic toxicity, with nanoparticle-based delivery systems or organotropic drug formulations potentially enhancing therapeutic precision [81]. Long-term safety and outcomes remain uncertain due to unknown long-term effects of autophagy modulation on immune homeostasis and secondary disease risk, requiring longitudinal clinical follow-up to assess potential adverse events like increased susceptibility to infections or cancer.

Strategies for bench-to-bedside translation

Despite these challenges, autophagy modulation holds therapeutic promise. To accelerate clinical translation, precision medicine-driven trials should integrate multi-omics (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics) to stratify patients into autophagy-responsive subgroups, and utilize adaptive trial designs (e.g., Bayesian platforms) with real-time biomarker feedback to optimize dosing and patient selection. Additionally, repurposing approved drugs necessitates evaluating FDA-approved drugs with known autophagy-modulating properties (e.g., metformin, hydroxychloroquine) in large-scale, randomized controlled trials to validate safety and efficacy in diverse sepsis populations. Meanwhile, biomarker development should focus on advancing non-invasive biomarkers (e.g., plasma mtDNA, urinary LC3 levels) to monitor autophagic status and predict treatment responses. By addressing these challenges through rigorous scientific inquiry and innovative trial designs, autophagy-based therapies may emerge as a transformative approach for sepsis management.

Recent trends in autophagy research in sepsis

In recent years, autophagy research in sepsis has witnessed several remarkable trends, propelling the field forward and offering new therapeutic avenues.

One emerging area of focus is the role of non-coding RNAs in regulating autophagy during sepsis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as key modulators of autophagic pathways. For example, specific miRNAs can target essential autophagy-related genes (Atgs), either enhancing or inhibiting autophagy. MiR-122, for instance, downregulates ATG5 expression, suppressing autophagy and exacerbating liver injury in sepsis. This finding highlights miRNAs as potential therapeutic targets, as modulating their activity could fine-tune autophagy for sepsis treatment.

Another significant trend is the rise of personalized medicine approaches based on autophagy modulation. With the advent of high-throughput sequencing technologies, it has become feasible to stratify sepsis patients according to their genetic profiles and autophagy-related biomarker levels. This enables the development of more tailored treatment strategies. Patients with specific genetic polymorphisms in autophagy-related genes may respond differently to autophagy inducers or inhibitors. By identifying these patient-specific factors, clinicians can optimize treatment efficacy, minimizing adverse effects and improving patient outcomes.

Moreover, there is growing interest in combining autophagy modulation with immunomodulatory therapies. Sepsis is characterized by a dysregulated immune response, and targeting both autophagy and the immune system simultaneously may yield enhanced therapeutic benefits. Pre-clinical studies have shown that combining autophagy inducers with immunostimulatory agents can augment pathogen clearance and improve the survival of septic animals. However, more research is required to determine the optimal combination and dosing regimens for clinical translation.

Conclusions and perspectives

Autophagy, an essential cellular adaptive mechanism, plays a crucial role in maintaining cellular homeostasis by degrading damaged organelles, misfolded proteins, and eliminating intracellular pathogens. It is active under both normal physiological conditions and during pathological states, including sepsis. In sepsis, autophagy activation contributes to immune cell survival and the preservation of host immune function. However, its role is complex; uncontrolled autophagy can be detrimental if the inflammatory response is not properly regulated.

Despite significant progress in understanding autophagy in sepsis, several knowledge gaps persist. First, while the general autophagy regulatory mechanisms in sepsis are known, the precise spatiotemporal regulation of autophagy in different cell types during sepsis progression remains unclear. For example, how autophagy is differentially regulated in immune cells compared to parenchymal cells at various sepsis stages is not fully understood. Second, the interplay between autophagy and other cellular processes, such as apoptosis, necrosis, and the unfolded protein response, is complex and not well-characterized in the context of sepsis. Understanding these relationships is vital for a comprehensive understanding of cellular fate during sepsis. Third, most current research on mitophagy (a specific form of autophagy targeting mitochondria) in sepsis is limited to basic experimental models, with a lack of clinical translational studies. Bridging the gap between basic research and clinical practice is necessary to evaluate the real-world effectiveness of mitophagy-targeted therapies. Future studies should prioritize the development of stage-specific autophagy modulators, as early-phase autophagy induction and late-phase autophagy inhibition may offer distinct therapeutic advantages in sepsis.

Based on these knowledge gaps, future research directions can be proposed. First, advanced imaging techniques and single-cell analysis methods should be utilized to precisely define the dynamics of autophagy in different cell populations during sepsis. This will help identify cell-specific therapeutic targets. Second, research should focus on elucidating the molecular crosstalk between autophagy and other cellular stress responses in sepsis. Uncovering the underlying signaling networks will provide a more comprehensive understanding of sepsis pathophysiology and potentially lead to the development of more effective combination therapies. Third, translational research efforts must be intensified. Clinical trials are needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of autophagy-modulating agents, such as autophagy inducers and inhibitors, in sepsis patients. Additionally, exploring personalized medicine approaches based on patients’ genetic backgrounds and disease severities could optimize sepsis treatment. By addressing these knowledge gaps and following these research directions, we can move closer to improving sepsis treatment and increasing patient survival rates.

Moving forward, interdisciplinary collaborations between molecular biologists, bioengineers, and intensivists will be crucial for developing next-generation autophagy-based therapies. Key priorities include: 1) Defining cell-type specific autophagic networks in sepsis using spatial transcriptomics; 2) Developing non-invasive imaging tools to monitor autophagy in real-time; 3) Establishing standardized autophagy biomarker panels for clinical use; and 4) Designing phase II/III trials with adaptive endpoints to evaluate autophagy modulators in combination with existing sepsis therapies. By overcoming these challenges, autophagy modulation may finally fulfill its potential as a transformative treatment for sepsis.


Corresponding author: Nannan He, Lanzhou University, Cuiyingmen no.82, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730030, China, E-mail:

  1. Funding information: This work was supported by the Scientific Research Projects in the Health Industry of Gansu Province(Grant no. GSWSKY2024-47), the Guided Plan Projects for the Scientific and Technological Development of Lanzhou City (Grant no. 2024-9-36), and the Scientific Research Fund Project.of Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child-care Hospital (Grant no. GMCCH2024-3-7).

  2. Author contribution: LW, RX, WW, and NH participated in the drafting, revision, and approval of the manuscript.

  3. Conflict of interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.

  4. Data Availability Statement: Not applicable.

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Received: 2025-03-02
Accepted: 2025-06-30
Published Online: 2025-12-17

© 2025 the author(s), published by De Gruyter, Berlin/Boston

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Artikel in diesem Heft

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  5. Risk factors for severe adverse drug reactions in hospitalized patients
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  9. Predictive value of plasma sB7-H3 and YKL-40 in pediatric refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia
  10. Antiangiogenic potential of Elaeagnus umbellata extracts and molecular docking study by targeting VEGFR-2 pathway
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  18. Transcription factor A, mitochondrial promotes lymph node metastasis and lymphangiogenesis in epithelial ovarian carcinoma
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  108. Electroacupuncture-induced reduction of myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury via FTO-dependent m6A methylation modulation
  109. Hemorrhoids and cardiovascular disease: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study
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  112. Assessment of SOX2 performance as a marker for circulating cancer stem-like cells (CCSCs) identification in advanced breast cancer patients using CytoTrack system
  113. Risk and prognosis for brain metastasis in primary metastatic cervical cancer patients: A population-based study
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  115. Factors influencing hematological toxicity and adverse effects of perioperative hyperthermic intraperitoneal vs intraperitoneal chemotherapy in gastrointestinal cancer
  116. Endotoxin tolerance inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation in macrophages of septic mice by restoring autophagic flux through TRIM26
  117. Lateral transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy: A single-centre experience of 21 procedures
  118. Petunidin attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced retinal microglia inflammatory response in diabetic retinopathy by targeting OGT/NF-κB/LCN2 axis
  119. Procalcitonin and C-reactive protein as biomarkers for diagnosing and assessing the severity of acute cholecystitis
  120. Factors determining the number of sessions in successful extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy patients
  121. Development of a nomogram for predicting cancer-specific survival in patients with renal pelvic cancer following surgery
  122. Inhibition of ATG7 promotes orthodontic tooth movement by regulating the RANKL/OPG ratio under compression force
  123. A machine learning-based prognostic model integrating mRNA stemness index, hypoxia, and glycolysis‑related biomarkers for colorectal cancer
  124. Glutathione attenuates sepsis-associated encephalopathy via dual modulation of NF-κB and PKA/CREB pathways
  125. FAHD1 prevents neuronal ferroptosis by modulating R-loop and the cGAS–STING pathway
  126. Association of placenta weight and morphology with term low birth weight: A case–control study
  127. Investigation of the pathogenic variants induced Sjogren’s syndrome in Turkish population
  128. Nucleotide metabolic abnormalities in post-COVID-19 condition and type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and their association with endocrine dysfunction
  129. TGF-β–Smad2/3 signaling in high-altitude pulmonary hypertension in rats: Role and mechanisms via macrophage M2 polarization
  130. Ultrasound-guided unilateral versus bilateral erector spinae plane block for postoperative analgesia of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy
  131. Profiling gut microbiome dynamics in subacute thyroiditis: Implications for pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment
  132. Delta neutrophil index, CRP/albumin ratio, procalcitonin, immature granulocytes, and HALP score in acute appendicitis: Best performing biomarker?
  133. Anticancer activity mechanism of novelly synthesized and characterized benzofuran ring-linked 3-nitrophenyl chalcone derivative on colon cancer cells
  134. H2valdien3 arrests the cell cycle and induces apoptosis of gastric cancer
  135. Prognostic relevance of PRSS2 and its immune correlates in papillary thyroid carcinoma
  136. Association of SGLT2 inhibition with psychiatric disorders: A Mendelian randomization study
  137. Motivational interviewing for alcohol use reduction in Thai patients
  138. Luteolin alleviates oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation-induced neuron injury by regulating NLRP3/IL-1β signaling
  139. Polyphyllin II inhibits thyroid cancer cell growth by simultaneously inhibiting glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation
  140. Relationship between the expression of copper death promoting factor SLC31A1 in papillary thyroid carcinoma and clinicopathological indicators and prognosis
  141. CSF2 polarized neutrophils and invaded renal cancer cells in vitro influence
  142. Proton pump inhibitors-induced thrombocytopenia: A systematic literature analysis of case reports
  143. The current status and influence factors of research ability among community nurses: A sequential qualitative–quantitative study
  144. OKAIN: A comprehensive oncology knowledge base for the interpretation of clinically actionable alterations
  145. The relationship between serum CA50, CA242, and SAA levels and clinical pathological characteristics and prognosis in patients with pancreatic cancer
  146. Identification and external validation of a prognostic signature based on hypoxia–glycolysis-related genes for kidney renal clear cell carcinoma
  147. Engineered RBC-derived nanovesicles functionalized with tumor-targeting ligands: A comparative study on breast cancer targeting efficiency and biocompatibility
  148. Relationship of resting echocardiography combined with serum micronutrients to the severity of low-gradient severe aortic stenosis
  149. Effect of vibration on pain during subcutaneous heparin injection: A randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial
  150. The diagnostic performance of machine learning-based FFRCT for coronary artery disease: A meta-analysis
  151. Comparing biofeedback device vs diaphragmatic breathing for bloating relief: A randomized controlled trial
  152. Serum uric acid to albumin ratio and C-reactive protein as predictive biomarkers for chronic total occlusion and coronary collateral circulation quality
  153. Multiple organ scoring systems for predicting in-hospital mortality of sepsis patients in the intensive care unit
  154. Single-cell RNA sequencing data analysis of the inner ear in gentamicin-treated mice via intraperitoneal injection
  155. Suppression of cathepsin B attenuates myocardial injury via limiting cardiomyocyte apoptosis
  156. Influence of sevoflurane combined with propofol anesthesia on the anesthesia effect and adverse reactions in children with acute appendicitis
  157. Identification of hub genes related to acute kidney injury caused by sevoflurane anesthesia and endoplasmic reticulum stress
  158. Efficacy and safety of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a systematic review and Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
  159. The value of diagnostic experience in O-RADS MRI score for ovarian-adnexal lesions
  160. Health education pathway for individuals with temporary enterostomies using patient journey mapping
  161. Serum TLR8 as a potential diagnostic biomarker of coronary heart disease
  162. Intraoperative temperature management and its effect on surgical outcomes in elderly patients undergoing lichtenstein unilateral inguinal hernia repair
  163. Immunohistochemical profiling and neuroepithelial heterogeneity in immature ovarian teratomas: a retrospective digital pathology-based study
  164. Associated risk factors and prevalence of human papillomavirus infection among females visiting tertiary care hospital: a cross-sectional study from Nepal
  165. Comparative evaluation of various disc elution methods for the detection of colistin-resistant gram-negative bacteria
  166. Effect of timing of cholecystectomy on weight loss after sleeve gastrectomy in morbidly obese individuals with cholelithiasis: a retrospective cohort study
  167. Causal association between ceramide levels and central precocious puberty: a mendelian randomization study
  168. Novel predictive model for colorectal liver metastases recurrence: a radiomics and clinical data approach
  169. Relationship between resident physicians’ perceived professional value and exposure to violence
  170. Multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes: a Mendelian randomization study of European ancestry
  171. Rapid pathogen identification in peritoneal dialysis effluent by MALDI-TOF MS following blood culture enrichment
  172. Comparison of open and percutaneous A1 pulley release in pediatric trigger thumb: a retrospective cohort study
  173. Impact of combined diaphragm-lung ultrasound assessment on postoperative respiratory function in patients under general anesthesia recovery
  174. Development and internal validation of a nomogram for predicting short-term prognosis in ICU patients with acute pyelonephritis
  175. The association between hypoxic burden and blood pressure in patients with obstructive sleep apnea
  176. Promotion of asthenozoospermia by C9orf72 through suppression of spermatogonia activity via fructose metabolism and mitophagy
  177. Review Articles
  178. The effects of enhanced external counter-pulsation on post-acute sequelae of COVID-19: A narrative review
  179. Diabetes-related cognitive impairment: Mechanisms, symptoms, and treatments
  180. Microscopic changes and gross morphology of placenta in women affected by gestational diabetes mellitus in dietary treatment: A systematic review
  181. Review of mechanisms and frontier applications in IL-17A-induced hypertension
  182. Research progress on the correlation between islet amyloid peptides and type 2 diabetes mellitus
  183. The safety and efficacy of BCG combined with mitomycin C compared with BCG monotherapy in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis
  184. The application of augmented reality in robotic general surgery: A mini-review
  185. The effect of Greek mountain tea extract and wheat germ extract on peripheral blood flow and eicosanoid metabolism in mammals
  186. Neurogasobiology of migraine: Carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, and nitric oxide as emerging pathophysiological trinacrium relevant to nociception regulation
  187. Plant polyphenols, terpenes, and terpenoids in oral health
  188. Laboratory medicine between technological innovation, rights safeguarding, and patient safety: A bioethical perspective
  189. End-of-life in cancer patients: Medicolegal implications and ethical challenges in Europe
  190. The maternal factors during pregnancy for intrauterine growth retardation: An umbrella review
  191. Intra-abdominal hypertension/abdominal compartment syndrome of pediatric patients in critical care settings
  192. PI3K/Akt pathway and neuroinflammation in sepsis-associated encephalopathy
  193. Screening of Group B Streptococcus in pregnancy: A systematic review for the laboratory detection
  194. Giant borderline ovarian tumours – review of the literature
  195. Leveraging artificial intelligence for collaborative care planning: Innovations and impacts in shared decision-making – A systematic review
  196. Cholera epidemiology analysis through the experience of the 1973 Naples epidemic
  197. Risk factors of frailty/sarcopenia in community older adults: Meta-analysis
  198. Supplement strategies for infertility in overweight women: Evidence and legal insights
  199. Scurvy, a not obsolete disorder: Clinical report in eight young children and literature review
  200. A meta-analysis of the effects of DBS on cognitive function in patients with advanced PD
  201. Protective role of selenium in sepsis: Mechanisms and potential therapeutic strategies
  202. Strategies for hyperkalemia management in dialysis patients: A systematic review
  203. C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio in peripheral artery disease
  204. Research progress on autophagy and its roles in sepsis induced organ injury
  205. Neuronutrition in autism spectrum disorders
  206. Pumilio 2 in neural development, function, and specific neurological disorders
  207. Antibiotic prescribing patterns in general dental practice- a scoping review
  208. Clinical and medico-legal reflections on non-invasive prenatal testing
  209. Smartphone use and back pain: a narrative review of postural pathologies
  210. Targeting endothelial oxidative stress in hypertension
  211. Exploring links between acne and metabolic syndrome: a narrative review
  212. Case Reports
  213. Delayed graft function after renal transplantation
  214. Semaglutide treatment for type 2 diabetes in a patient with chronic myeloid leukemia: A case report and review of the literature
  215. Diverse electrophysiological demyelinating features in a late-onset glycogen storage disease type IIIa case
  216. Giant right atrial hemangioma presenting with ascites: A case report
  217. Laser excision of a large granular cell tumor of the vocal cord with subglottic extension: A case report
  218. EsoFLIP-assisted dilation for dysphagia in systemic sclerosis: Highlighting the role of multimodal esophageal evaluation
  219. Molecular hydrogen-rhodiola as an adjuvant therapy for ischemic stroke in internal carotid artery occlusion: A case report
  220. Coronary artery anomalies: A case of the “malignant” left coronary artery and its surgical management
  221. Combined VAT and retroperitoneoscopy for pleural empyema due to nephro-pleuric fistula in xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis
  222. A rare case of Opalski syndrome with a suspected multiple sclerosis etiology
  223. Newly diagnosed B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia demonstrating localized bone marrow infiltration exclusively in the lower extremities
  224. Rapid Communication
  225. Biological properties of valve materials using RGD and EC
  226. A single oral administration of flavanols enhances short-term memory in mice along with increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor
  227. Repeat influenza incidence across two consecutive influenza seasons
  228. Letter to the Editor
  229. Role of enhanced external counterpulsation in long COVID
  230. Expression of Concern
  231. Expression of concern “A ceRNA network mediated by LINC00475 in papillary thyroid carcinoma”
  232. Expression of concern “Notoginsenoside R1 alleviates spinal cord injury through the miR-301a/KLF7 axis to activate Wnt/β-catenin pathway”
  233. Expression of concern “circ_0020123 promotes cell proliferation and migration in lung adenocarcinoma via PDZD8”
  234. Corrigendum
  235. Corrigendum to “Empagliflozin improves aortic injury in obese mice by regulating fatty acid metabolism”
  236. Corrigendum to “Comparing the therapeutic efficacy of endoscopic minimally invasive surgery and traditional surgery for early-stage breast cancer: A meta-analysis”
  237. Corrigendum to “The progress of autoimmune hepatitis research and future challenges”
  238. Retraction
  239. Retraction of “miR-654-5p promotes gastric cancer progression via the GPRIN1/NF-κB pathway”
  240. Retraction of: “LncRNA CASC15 inhibition relieves renal fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy through downregulating SP-A by sponging to miR-424”
  241. Retraction of: “SCARA5 inhibits oral squamous cell carcinoma via inactivating the STAT3 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways”
  242. Special Issue Advancements in oncology: bridging clinical and experimental research - Part II
  243. Unveiling novel biomarkers for platinum chemoresistance in ovarian cancer
  244. Lathyrol affects the expression of AR and PSA and inhibits the malignant behavior of RCC cells
  245. The era of increasing cancer survivorship: Trends in fertility preservation, medico-legal implications, and ethical challenges
  246. Bone scintigraphy and positron emission tomography in the early diagnosis of MRONJ
  247. Meta-analysis of clinical efficacy and safety of immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer
  248. Special Issue Computational Intelligence Methodologies Meets Recurrent Cancers - Part IV
  249. Exploration of mRNA-modifying METTL3 oncogene as momentous prognostic biomarker responsible for colorectal cancer development
  250. Special Issue The evolving saga of RNAs from bench to bedside - Part III
  251. Interaction and verification of ferroptosis-related RNAs Rela and Stat3 in promoting sepsis-associated acute kidney injury
  252. The mRNA MOXD1: Link to oxidative stress and prognostic significance in gastric cancer
  253. Special Issue Exploring the biological mechanism of human diseases based on MultiOmics Technology - Part II
  254. Dynamic changes in lactate-related genes in microglia and their role in immune cell interactions after ischemic stroke
  255. A prognostic model correlated with fatty acid metabolism in Ewing’s sarcoma based on bioinformatics analysis
  256. Red cell distribution width predicts early kidney injury: A NHANES cross-sectional study
  257. Special Issue Diabetes mellitus: pathophysiology, complications & treatment
  258. Nutritional risk assessment and nutritional support in children with congenital diabetes during surgery
  259. Correlation of the differential expressions of RANK, RANKL, and OPG with obesity in the elderly population in Xinjiang
  260. A discussion on the application of fluorescence micro-optical sectioning tomography in the research of cognitive dysfunction in diabetes
  261. A review of brain research on T2DM-related cognitive dysfunction
  262. Metformin and estrogen modulation in LABC with T2DM: A 36-month randomized trial
  263. Special Issue Innovative Biomarker Discovery and Precision Medicine in Cancer Diagnostics
  264. CircASH1L-mediated tumor progression in triple-negative breast cancer: PI3K/AKT pathway mechanisms
Heruntergeladen am 5.2.2026 von https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/med-2025-1251/html
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