Dose-dependent effect of DEX on LPS-induced cytokine production in whole-blood cultures. IL-10, IL-12(p40), and TNF-α were induced in whole-blood cultures with 250 ng/mL LPS and in the presence of various concentrations DEX. For the induction of IL-12(p70), 1,000 U/mL IFN-γ was added to the cultures. Supernatants were obtained after 24 hours. The mean cytokine production is expressed as a percentage of the initial response in the absence of DEX. The results of IL-10 (▵, n = 13), IL-12(p40) (▾, n = 13), IL-12(p70) (□, n = 4), and TNF-α (•, n = 9) are expressed as the mean of the percentage (±SEM) of the initial cytokine response. The mean absolute values (±SD) in the absence of DEX for IL-12(p70), IL-12(p40), IL-10, and TNF-α were 127 ± 35 pg/mL, 623 ± 419 pg/mL, 411 ± 611 pg/mL, and 2,318 ± 1,499 pg/mL, respectively.