These results are in line with published data on the role of exercise in decreasing hepatic IL-6 signaling and mRNA expression of other inflammatory markers including TNF, MCP-1, IL-10 and IL-1β in LPS-induced inflammation.36 The current study therefore expands previous observations of the beneficial effect of exercise on LPS-induced shock and liver injury, but goes beyond to identify the intrahepatic mechanisms and signaling pathways that are linked to the observed protection. The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is injury.