Pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-1β (both p < 0.001) and marker of lung epithelial cell injury RAGE (p < 0.001) increased and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 (p < 0.01) significantly decreased in the saline-lavaged and untreated animals compared to controls (ARDS vs. Control). The gene discussed is IL1B; the disease is acute respiratory distress syndrome.