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Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Evaluation of a Reliable Biomarker in a Cecal Ligation and Puncture-Induced Mouse Model of Sepsis
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Published on: December 9, 2022

The Glutamate-Glutamine Axis in Pediatric Septic Shock: Immunometabolic Mechanisms, Biomarker Potential, and Clinical

Yaru Cui1, Juan Wang1, Yiyao Bao1

  • 1Department of Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Children's Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Children and Adolescents' Health and Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310052, China.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|June 12, 2026
PubMed

Insights

The glutamate-glutamine axis impacts pediatric septic shock by affecting immune function and metabolism. However, more pediatric research is needed before clinical use of this pathway as a biomarker or intervention.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric critical care medicine
  • Immunometabolism
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Pediatric septic shock is a significant cause of mortality in critically ill children.
  • It is characterized by severe immunometabolic dysregulation.
  • The role of specific metabolic pathways, like the glutamate-glutamine axis, is under investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current evidence on the glutamate-glutamine axis in pediatric septic shock.
  • To explore its interaction with immune function, mitochondrial metabolism, redox balance, and gut integrity.
  • To differentiate mechanistic relevance from clinical utility.

Main Methods:

  • Narrative review of clinical, translational, and mechanistic studies.
  • Focus on the glutamate-glutamine axis in the context of pediatric septic shock.
  • Synthesis of evidence regarding biological plausibility and clinical application.

Main Results:

  • The glutamate-glutamine axis is mechanistically relevant in pediatric septic shock.
  • This axis influences immune cell function, mitochondrial handling, and intestinal barrier.
  • It shows potential as a source of candidate biomarkers.

Conclusions:

  • Current pediatric-specific data are limited.
  • Routine biomarker use or glutamine-based interventions are not yet justified in unselected children.
  • Future research requires standardized methods, pediatric cohorts, and phenotype-guided trials for clinical translation.

Keywords:
biomarkerscritical careglutamate–glutamine axisimmunometabolismmetabolic reprogrammingpediatric septic shockprognosis

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