HMGB1 and peritonitis: Previous related studies have demonstrated that HMGB1 expression in the diaphragm is associated with impaired diaphragm contractility and diaphragm dysfunction in septic animals with peritonitis.15, 26, 28 Our present study demonstrated that a moderate VT of ventilation can enhance the HMGB1 production from the diaphragm of LPS‐challenged mice with endotoxaemia and worsen diaphragmatic injury, as evident in increased oxidative stress, inflammation, atrophy, apoptosis, mitochondrial injury and autophagy.