During sepsis, why does widespread capillary leakage and vasodilation occur, overwhelming the body's compensatory mechanisms?

💡 Explanation

Sepsis triggers a systemic inflammatory response due to overwhelming infection. Massive cytokine release then induces nitric oxide production, leading to vasodilation and increased capillary permeability, because nitric oxide is a potent vasodilator; therefore, widespread leakage occurs, rather than localized inflammation seen in typical infections.

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