Research progress in AMP-activated protein kinase and sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction

Sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction is a serious complication of sepsis with no effective treatment. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a regulator for energy metabolism in cells and plays a key role in the energy balance. Recent studies have shown that AMPK exerted a protective effect on sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction, which was related to the regulation of inflammation, endothelial cells injury, energy metabolism, myocardial cells apoptosis and autophagy. Therefore, AMPK is a therapeutic target for sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction.