Fig. 1— The significant fall (43%) from baseline (maximal inspiratory pressure: PI,max) average value of all the animals after a 7-day acclimatisation period, n = 16, represented as the 100%) in PI,max 24 h after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection (average PI,max measurements in those animals only injected with LPS in the absence of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) pre-treatment, n = 8) was partially and significantly attenuated (30%) by previous treatment with 3 mmol·kg−1 NAC/24 h for 7 days (average of PI,max measurements 24 h after the LPS injection in those rats pre-treated with 3 mmol·kg−1 NAC, n = 8). PI,max was determined by total occlusion of the inspiratory circuit of the Hans Rudolph valve. Animals were always fully awake while this manoeuvre was being performed. *: p<0.05; ***: p<0.001.