Gut Microbiota Metabolites Targeting the Immune Response in Sepsis: Mechanisms and Therapies

Sepsis is a global health challenge, affecting millions annually and remaining a leading cause of mortality in intensive care units. Gut microbiota plays a complex role in the onset and progression of sepsis, with its alterations reflecting disease severity. Recently, modulating gut microbiota and its metabolites has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for sepsis. This review highlights the role of gut microbiota in sepsis and systematically identifies key immune response targets directly influenced by gut microbiota metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), bile acids, and indoleacetic acid, among other important metabolites. Additionally, it offers a full overview of current research on gut microbiota-regulated therapeutic approaches, including fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and artificial intelligence (AI) applications. These insights offer a novel perspective for advancing the understanding of sepsis pathogenesis and its treatment.