Fig. 2. LPS stimulated release of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and inhibition of IL-6 release by dexamethasone in the three groups (mean ± SEM). While there was no significant difference of IL-6 stimulation by LPS between groups, IL-6 release was less suppressed by dexamethasone in the highly exhausted subjects than in the nonexhausted subjects (p = .010).