Therapeutic targeting of metabolic alterations in acute respiratory distress syndrome

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains a significant source of mortality in critically ill patients. Characterised by acute, widespread alveolar inflammation and pulmonary oedema, its pathophysiological heterogeneity has meant that targeted treatments have remained elusive. Metabolomic analysis has made initial steps in characterising the underlying metabolic derangements of ARDS as an indicator of phenotypical class and has identified mitochondrial dysfunction as a potential therapeutic target. Mesenchymal stem cells and their derived extracellular vesicles have shown significant promise as potential therapies in delivering mitochondria in order to redivert metabolism onto physiological pathways.