IL6 and Sepsis: 2002). Acute sepsis increased TNF‐α mRNA content in the gastrocnemius almost threefold, compared to the nonseptic state in ZA mice, although this increase did not reach statistical significance. An interaction was seen with sepsis and dietary Zn, such that septic mice fed ZM had an exaggerated increase in TNF‐α mRNA content (greater than sevenfold), compared to ZA‐nonseptic mice (Fig. 5A). Acute sepsis also increased IL‐6 mRNA 650% in the gastrocnemius compared to the ZA‐nonseptic state, and this increase in IL‐6 was similar in the ZM mice (Fig. 5B).