The present invention relates to apoptosis specific eucaryotic initiation factor 5A (eIF-5A), referred to as apoptosis-specific eIF-5A or eIF5-A1, nucleic acids and polypeptides and methods for down regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines in a mammal by administering siRNA against eIF-5A1 to the mammal to treat/prevent sepsis and/or hemorrhagic shock.