Hepatic hepcidin knockdown mice show a dampened inflammatory response and higher bacterial burden. Samples were collected 24 h after CLP. (A) The serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were detected (n = 5). (B) Bacterial loads in blood, liver, lung, and spleen were determined, and the results are expressed as log₁₀(CFU/ml blood) in blood and log₁₀(CFU/g tissue) in the organs (n = 5). *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01. CFU = colony forming units; CLP = cecal ligation and puncture; IL-6 = interleukin 6; TNF-α = tumor necrosis factor-alpha.