Intestinal Injury in Heat Stroke

Abstract Background Heat stroke is a life-threatening syndrome that is characterized by its severe clinical symptoms, rapid progression, and high rate of mortality. Recently, research has indicated that a dysfunctional intestinal epithelia barrier plays an important role in the pathophysiology of heat stroke. Protecting the intestines from heat stress had been identified as a potentially effective treatment for patients with heat stroke and may reduce the innate immune response caused by endotoxins in circulation. Objectives The aim of this review is to discuss this key event in heat stroke and to describe the mechanism during progression. Discussion Direct injuries and secondary impairments of the intestine induced by heat stress are discussed; recent studies that refer to intestine-specific prevention and treatment in heat stroke and heat stress-induced injuries are also summarized. Conclusions A more detailed pathogenesis of heat stroke needs to be elucidated so that potentially effective means of treatment and prevention of heat stroke can be developed and studied.