Unraveling the Role of Microcystin-LR in Ferroptosis and Sepsis Pathogenesis: A Comprehensive Review.

Sepsis, a systemic inflammatory response syndrome triggered by infection, is characterized by acute onset, rapid progression, and high mortality. Ferroptosis, a form of programmed cell death induced by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, is closely associated with the occurrence and development of various diseases. Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) can exacerbate sepsis by causing multi-organ damage via the ferroptosis pathway. Currently, the relationship between MC-LR, ferroptosis, and sepsis remains unclear. Understanding its pathogenesis and identifying potential therapeutic targets may reduce the mortality of sepsis patients and lead to clinical improvement. This article reviews the relationship among MC-LR, ferroptosis, and sepsis, focusing on the mechanism by which MC-LR exposure induces sepsis from the ferroptosis perspective, providing a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of MC-LR-exposure-induced sepsis in the population.