Systemic inflammatory response parameters after targeting LPS either to the airways (1, 5 and 20 µg, closed symbols) or to the alveoli (5 µg, open symbol).

<p>A: absolute blood neutrophils (6 h after LPS challenge, baseline value = 3.4+/−1.3*10³/µL), B: CRP (24 h after LPS challenge, baseline value = 1.4+/−0.9 mg/L) and C: IL-6 (baseline value 2.0+/−0.4 pg/mL). Data represent mean +/− SD (n = 7; *: p<0.05, **: p<0.01 compared to baseline; ⁺⁺: p<0.01 for 5 µg alveolar compared to 5 µg airway LPS).