Figure 2.

Systemic variables following induction of experimental sepsis in Wistar rats (that have received either no drug, DMSO, or A‐438079 (P2X₇ antagonist) in DMSO) at 6 h and 24 h. Box plots represent median and interquartile range and whiskers represent minimum and maximum, respectively. Experiments include at least 6 animals per group for 6 h time point and 10–12 animals per group for 24 h time point. Septic animals have a significantly elevated body temperature and tachycardia, at 6 h and 24 h compared with sham‐operated animals. Serum albumin falls by 24 h and remains low at 24 h, whereas lactate is significantly elevated at 24 h in septic animals compared with sham‐operated animals. A‐438079 treatment reduced fever at 6 h, and improved resolution of tachycardia, serum albumin, and lactate at 24 h. Septic animals have a significantly elevated serum IL‐1β compared with sham animals at 6 h and 24 h. Renal IL‐1β Is significantly elevated by 6 h, followed by a rise in serum creatinine at 24 h. Treatment with A‐438079 after the onset of sepsis abrogated the rise in serum creatinine at 24 h with reduced renal IL‐1β expression at 6 h. (+P < 0.05 for sham vs. untreated septic animals. *P < 0.05 for treated vs. untreated septic animals).