Final answer:
Endotoxin from bacteria in the intestines can cause the liver to release damaging compounds called cytokines, which trigger an inflammatory response.
Step-by-step explanation:
The liver releases damaging compounds called cytokines in response to the endotoxin released by bacteria in the intestines. Endotoxin is a toxic component of the bacterial cell wall that triggers the immune system's inflammatory response. When endotoxin is present in high concentrations, it can cause an excessive inflammatory response, leading to a severe drop in blood pressure, multi-organ failure, and death.