Review article
https://doi.org/10.46419/cvj.57.4.3
Metabolomics in sepsis-associated acute kidney injury research
Dora Ivšić Škoda
; Internal Diseases Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Dina Rešetar Maslov
; Internal Diseases Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
*
Josipa Kuleš
orcid.org/0000-0002-4945-4690
; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Valerija Benko
; Department for Biology and Pathology of Fish and Bees, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Vlasta Đurić
; Internal Diseases Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Renata Barić Rafaj
orcid.org/0000-0002-1043-1176
; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Vladimir Mrljak
; Internal Diseases Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Metabolomics is a scientific discipline focused on the analysis of metabolites in biological samples with the aim of understanding physiological and pathological processes. The development of analytical technologies, such as mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance, has enabled advances in untargeted and targeted metabolomic analysis. In untargeted analysis, a broad spectrum of metabolites is analysed without prior assumptions, whereas targeted analysis focuses on the quantification of known molecules. Biological samples such as serum, plasma and urine are most commonly used, with the choice depending on the clinical context and the nature of the disease. Despite its potential, metabolomics faces challenges such as technical complexity, biological variability, lack of standardisation, and the need for advanced statistical methods. However, in the last decade, it has been used extensively in the study of sepsis and associated acute kidney injury, a condition with high mortality and limited therapeutic options. In this review, we present metabolomics, the challenges it faces, and the current state of research concerning sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI). Metabolomic studies of SA-AKI have identified potential key biological changes, including enhanced inflammatory signalling, oxidative stress, osmolyte disturbances, and cellular metabolic dysfunction. Although individual metabolites have been recognised as potential diagnostic markers, none can fully capture the complex metabolic changes characteristic of SA-AKI. In the future, the integration of metabolomics with other "omics" and advanced analytical approaches could advance early disease detection, the understanding of pathophysiology, and the development of personalised therapies.
Keywords
metabolomics; metabolome; metabolites; acute kidney injury; sepsis
Hrčak ID:
347014
URI
Publication date:
15.7.2026.
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