Ethanol consumption and sepsis : mechanisms of organ damage.

Abstract

Sepsis is highly prevalent, and is one of the main causes of mortality among hospitalized patients. Ethanol consumption in large quantities compromises the normal functioning of the body, leading to dysfunction of multiple different organ systems. The association between sepsis and ethanol is not fully understood, but it is well accepted that ethanol consumption plays a role in the development of sepsis. Both sepsis and ethanol cause inflammatory dysfunction and promote oxidative stress. Antioxidant agents may be highly relevant targets to abrogate the effects of sepsis in patients who also consume large amounts of ethanol. This review focuses on presenting the main mechanisms involved between sepsis and ethanol consumption, and to describe the main antioxidants that have been used as therapeutic agents.