Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of expression of pro-inflammatory mediator mRNA in the spleens of vehicle and dexamethasone (DEX) groups in the short-term. Representative RT-PCR analysis of (a) tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), (b) granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), (c) interleukin-8 (IL-8), (d) matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), (e) IL-1β mRNA levels of the spleens of vehicle and DEX groups at day 7. Data presented were calculated from eight replicate experiments. *vehicle vs DEX, P < 0·05.