Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model

A CLP model was used to induce sepsis. In brief, equithensin (1 ml/kg) was used to anesthetize the animals by intraperitoneal perfusion, and the rats were fixed on an aseptic operating table. Their cecum was exposed through a 1-cm midline incision in a sterile environment. Subsequently, the cecum was ligated tightly below the ileocecal valve using a 4-0 silk suture. In the subsequent step, a 22-gauge needle was used to puncture the cecum three times to ensure the same severity of sepsis. Subsequently, the cecum was squeezed gently to excrete a small quantity of stool through the puncture site. In the subsequent step, the cecum was placed back into the peritoneal cavity and the abdominal incision was gently stitched in two layers. Finally, 1 ml saline solution was used to resuscitate the animals via subcutaneous injection.