The purpose of this article is to review the literature in the year 2005 covering different aspects of metabolism, endocrinology and nutrition in critically ill patients. In particular, studies reviewed in this paper cover: glucose control and its consequences, putative mechanisms of protective effects affiliated with glucose control, new insights into the metabolism of lactate in the critically ill, low dose corticosteroids, the role of ethomidate in intensive care medicine, current concepts in nutrition, immunonutrition and antioxidant treatment.

        Key words: glucose control – lactate – metabolism – hormones – nutrition – critical illness – organ failure