During sepsis, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which is derived from the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria, can induce the expression of inflammatory mediators and cytokines such as TNF-??, interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1?? (IL-1??), and interleukin-10 (IL-10), as well as lead to the release of nitric oxide (NO).