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Updated: Jan 6, 2026
A Data-Driven Approach to Quantifying Immune States in Sepsis
Published on: February 7, 2025
A case series of the dynamics of lipid mediators in patients with sepsis
Mitsuhide Hamaguchi1, Heng Ning Wu2, Masahiro Tanaka3
1Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine Kindai University Faculty of Medicine Osakasayama Osaka Japan.
Background:
Bioactive lipid mediators play a crucial role during infection. Previously, we showed the expression level of FAAH mRNA in septic patients was lower than in healthy controls.
Case Presentation:
Four patients with a Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score of <7 recovered from sepsis. One patient with SOFA score of 12 on day 7 died on day 21. In the fatal case, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, arachidonic acid, and linoleic acid-derived lipid mediators, including 9-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (9-HODE), 13-HODE, 9,10-dihydroxy-12-octadecenoic acid (9,10-DiHOME), and 12,13-DiHOME, were elevated on day 1. Increase in anti-inflammatory prostaglandin E1 ethanolamide together with persistently lower transcription level of FAAH mRNA was detected on day 7 in the fatal case.
Conclusion:
Lipidomic analysis on day 1 revealed elevated linoleic acid metabolites, whereas on day 7, elevated prostaglandin E1 ethanolamide and low level of FAAH mRNA transcription were observed in the fatal case of sepsis.
Insights
In sepsis, elevated linoleic acid metabolites on day 1 and increased prostaglandin E1 ethanolamide with low FAAH mRNA on day 7 indicate a fatal outcome. These findings highlight key lipid mediators in sepsis prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Bioactive lipid mediators are critical during infection.
- FAAH mRNA expression is reduced in septic patients compared to healthy controls.
Observation:
- A fatal sepsis case showed elevated linoleic acid metabolites (9-HODE, 13-HODE, 9,10-DiHOME, 12,13-DiHOME) on day 1.
- The same patient exhibited increased anti-inflammatory prostaglandin E1 ethanolamide and persistently low FAAH mRNA on day 7.
Findings:
- Lipidomic analysis revealed elevated linoleic acid metabolites on day 1 in the fatal sepsis case.
- On day 7, elevated prostaglandin E1 ethanolamide and low FAAH mRNA transcription were observed in the fatal case.
Implications:
- These lipid mediators may serve as prognostic biomarkers for sepsis severity.
- Understanding these pathways could inform therapeutic strategies for sepsis.
