[Research progress on application of metabolomics in acute lung injury]

Acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) is a life-threatening lung disease characterized by refractory hypoxemia. Metabolomics is an emerging discipline for qualitative and quantitative analysis of small molecular weight metabolites in organisms or cells. Mass attention has been paid to its role in disease diagnosis and treatment. Recently, many metabolites based on metabolomics have been proposed as potential biomarkers for early development and prognosis of ALI/ARDS, and provide insights into new targeted interventions. Based on metabolomics, this article discusses the role of endogenous metabolites in the pathogenesis and biomarkers of ALI/ARDS, and summarizes its application in medical therapy.