An in vitro study of how much methylprednisolone is needed to produce immunosuppression.

An in vitro assay system (MLR-LMC) was used to study the optimal time-concentration characteristics of methylprednisolone as an immunosuppressive drug. Our data suggest that low doses of methylprednisolone (less than 40 mg) most probably contribute little to immunosuppressive therapy and that high doses (15 to 30 mg/kg) are most probably excessive. Clinical trials are necessary to establish the validity of these conclusions and to establish the optimal dose schedule for the administration of steroids to patients undergoing renal transplantation.