Objectives: The phosphorylation states and the inferred activation of specific members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways (p42/44, p38, and SAPK/JNK) were quantitated in the livers of rats by Western blot analysis during the progression of sepsis. In addition, the authors examined the effects of insulin and mifepristone (RU-486) administration on these signal transduction pathways during sepsis.
Methods: Sepsis was brought about by the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) method.