Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers for Sepsis-Associated Liver Injury: Current Status and Future Perspectives

Sepsis-associated liver injury (SALI) is a complication of sepsis that carries a notably poor prognosis in the intensive care unit (ICU). So far, there remains no specific consensus regarding the diagnostic criteria for SALI. The quest for biomarkers associated with SALI continues, as they are essential for both early diagnosis and prognostic assessment. Traditionally utilized biomarkers include alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and bilirubin; however, their lack of specificity and sensitivity has hindered the accurate diagnosis of SALI and the prediction of subsequent disease progression. Recently, novel biomarkers such as microRNAs, differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) have been explored to enhance the early diagnosis and prognostic prediction of SALI. However, each of these biomarkers presents certain limitations. This review is aimed at summarizing the aforementioned biomarkers with the hope that future researchers will identify the most effective markers for diagnosing SALI.