Insulin and metabolic substrates during human sepsis

Area of Science:

• Metabolic effects of insulin in severe sepsis.
• Physiological substrate utilization during critical illness.

Background:

• Severe sepsis alters host metabolism.
• Insulin's role in sepsis metabolism is not fully understood.

Discussion:

• Hyperinsulinaemia in sepsis shifts substrate utilization towards glucose.
• Insulin may reduce protein catabolism and oxygen demand in sepsis.

Key Insights:

• Supraphysiological insulin levels promote glucose utilization in sepsis.
• Insulin did not alter total energy expenditure in this sepsis cohort.

Outlook:

• Further research is needed to confirm the clinical benefits of insulin in sepsis.
• Investigating insulin's effects at various sepsis time points is crucial.