A substantial increase in caspase-3 and BNIP-3 expression levels and the appearance of TUNEL-positive apoptotic nuclei in diaphragm muscle fibers were observed in mice with endotoxemia treated with VT = 10 mL/kg compared with mice in the other MV treatment groups and the control group (Figure 7). This evidence concerns the gene BNIP3 and serum lipopolysaccharide activity.