Carbon monoxide is thought to serve as a new endogenous mediator in the pathogenesis of sepsis and septic shock. In newborn rat endotoxicosis, carbon monoxide levels in the circulation as well as liver, kidney and lung were found to be significantly increased (P < 0.05). Moreover, the elevations of carbon monoxide correlated with enhanced nitric oxide production as indicated by nitrite/nitrate levels (P < 0.05). Our present data showed for the first time that endogenously produced carbon monoxide was increased during the course of shock-like states, which suggested that the role of carbon monoxide in sepsis and septic shock might worth further study.