How might septic shock alter the metabolic response in tissues?

In septic shock, there is a profound and significant alteration in the body's metabolic response. One of the hallmark features of septic shock is the presence of systemic inflammation, which is triggered by an infection and a subsequent immune response. This process enhances metabolism, resulting in an increased metabolic rate.

When the body is in septic shock, tissues experience a heightened demand for oxygen and nutrients due to increased cellular activity and the need to combat the infection. The inflammatory cytokines released during sepsis stimulate metabolic pathways, leading to the utilization of glucose and fats for energy, which is necessary for maintaining cellular function and promoting healing.

Additionally, the impaired tissue perfusion and oxygen delivery that occur in septic shock can cause a shift to anaerobic metabolism in some tissues, generating lactic acid and further increasing metabolic demands. As a result, there is a net increase in metabolic rate as the body attempts to meet the heightened demands created by the infection and resulting physiological stress.

Thus, the response of tissues during septic shock is characterized by an escalation of metabolic activity, underlining the choice that septic shock increases metabolic rate.