Based on in vitro demonstration of alternate activation of murine macrophages and human monocytes and in vivo activation of murine macrophages into alternate phenotype by chtx leading to inhibition of LPS mediated induction of inflammatory molecules (such as IL1β, TNF-α, IL-6 etc) by chtx we conclude that the small molecular weight carbohydrate induces alternate activation of macrophages in vivo and mediates protection against endotoxemia. Here, IL1B is linked to serum lipopolysaccharide activity.