The effect of corticosteroids on in vitro endotoxin-induced microclots

The in vitro endotoxin-induced fibrin microclots could be completely inhibited in blood by treating the patient with an oral dose of 30--60 mg prednisone 24 h before drawing the blood sample. When added to 100 ml blood in vitro, the minimal inhibiting dose of corticosteroid is 0.004 mg betamethasone or 0.5 mg hydrocortisone.