Figure 6. The toxic consequences of metabolic reprogramming in sepsis.

Infection is the start of sepsis. It leads to direct tissue damage and to inflammation, which in turn leads to hypoxia, which is essential to allow white blood cells (WBCs) to produce fast ATP from glucose and act fast on the infectious agents. The hypoxic response also leads to mobilization of energy‐rich molecules such as lactate and fatty acids, which however can also lead to toxicity, when over abundant.