Fig. 1. Blood flow in the superior mesenteric artery (SMAI, ml · kg−1· min−1; A and C ) and mucosal–arterial carbon dioxide (Pco2) gap (mmHg; B and D ). After baseline measurements (t = 0 min), animals in both nonseptic groups (n = 8 in each; A and B ) were observed during 300 min. Animals in both septic groups (n = 8 in each; C and D ) were subjected to fecal peritonitis and fluid resuscitation. At t = 300 min, a continuous intravenous infusion of vasopressin (0.06 U · kg−1· h−1) was started in the vasopressin and vasopressin–sepsis groups. The nonseptic and septic control groups received intravenous saline only. The figures represent the results (mean ± SD) at t = 300 min and later. * P < 0.05 compared with t = 300 min. # P < 0.05 compared with sepsis–vasopressin group.