In this study we observed 20 nm cit-AuNP treatment reduced leukocyte and platelet adhesion in pial vessels of mice with sepsis, alleviated BBB failure, and, in parallel, reduced TNFα concentration and phosphorylated IκB expression in the brain parenchyma, ICAM-1 expression in both PMN leukocytes and cerebral blood vessels, and did not interfere with the effect of imipenem/cilastatin on the survival rate of mice with sepsis. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is Sepsis.