Fig. 1

Flowchart for the groups. Forty rats, stratified by sex, were randomized into eight groups (n = 5 per group). Six groups were operated with cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and incubated for 8 h to develop peritonitis. Three groups of peritonitis-afflicted animals were treated with laparoscopic lavage and samples were taken after 1, 2 or 3 h. Groups were named by peritonitis and sampling time in hours (P1, P2, P3) and peritonitis with laparoscopic lavage and sampling time in hours (PL1, PL2, PL3). Two groups were sham operated by laparotomy and incubated for 8 h to match the peritonitis groups. Groups were named by sham (S) and sham treated with laparoscopic lavage (SL) and were sampled after one hour