Lipid profile associated with the systemic inflammatory response syndrome and sepsis in critically ill patients

•Low high-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein concentrations occurred in systemic inflammatory response syndrome, sepsis, or both.•Hypertriacylglycerolemia was associated with episodes of inflammation and infection.•During sepsis, changes occur in lipoprotein composition, mainly high-density lipoprotein, triacylglycerols and very low-density lipoprotein.•Reduction in total cholesterol and lipoprotein were proportional to the degree of inflammation.•Lipoproteins may function as potential biomarkers (high-density lipoprotein) in systemic inflammatory response syndrome and sepsis.