Inflammatory parameters. (A) C-reactive protein (CRP) and (B) white blood cell count. CRP peaked at 24 hours and had fully normalized by day 8 in both treatment groups. Values in panels A and B are depicted as mean and SD. Differences over time were analyzed with 2-way analysis of variance with repeated measures. The P value of the interaction terms are depicted in the respective panels. Plasma concentrations of (C) TNF-α, (D) IL-10, (E) IL-6, and IL-1 receptor antagonist (F) (IL-1RA) are displayed for the treatment groups. As cytokine concentrations were not normally distributed, only median cytokine concentrations are depicted. Areas under the concentration-time curve (AUC) were calculated for each individual and compared between groups as depicted in the inserted bar charts. Differences in areas under the curve between groups were tested with the Mann-Whitney U test. No significant differences in cytokine concentrations between the treatment groups were observed.