there is disclosed a pharmaceutical composition and method for treating sepsis , including septic shock and ards , comprising administering an effective amount of a hmg1 antagonist . there is further disclosed a diagnostic method for monitoring the severity or potential lethality of sepsis or septic shock , comprising measuring the serum concentration of hmg1 in a patient exhibiting or at risk or exhibit sepsis or septic shock symptoms . lastly , there is disclosed a pharmaceutical composition and method for effecting weight loss or treating obesity , comprising administering an effective amount of hmg1 or a therapeutically active hmg1 fragment .