Sepsis animal model
CLP was used to establish a model of polymicrobial sepsis as described in our previous studies [19-21]. Briefly, female C57BL/6 mice aged 6-8 weeks were firstly anesthetized intraperitoneally (i.p.) with a mixture of xylazine (4.5 mg/kg) and ketamine (90 mg/kg), and the cecum was then exposed, ligatured at its external third, and punctured through with a 24-gauge needle (nonsevere CLP, 60-80% survival) or a 21-gauge needle (severe CLP, 20-40% survival). The cecum was then returned to the peritoneal cavity, and incisions were closed. Sham-operated (control) animals underwent identical laparatomy, and the cecum was exposed but not ligated or punctured. Mice received saline (5 ml per 100 g body weight) subcutaneously for resuscitation. Survival was monitored twice daily for 14 d. All animal experiments were approved by the local Animal Care and Use Committee.