Deleterious effect of pharmacological doses of corticosteroids after partial hepatectomy in rats.

The aim of the present investigation was to determine whether pharmacological doses of corticosteroid can be used safely in the treatment of haemorrhagic shock during major hepatic resection. Following two-thirds hepatectomy in the rat the administration of dexamethasone, 4 mg/kg of body weight, produced higher morbidity and mortality compared with that in the control groups. This was considered to be mainly due to substantial suppression and retardation of liver regeneration. In addition, the steroid therapy exaggerated the degree and time of liver steatosis with marked elevation of serum fatty acid, triglyceride, phospholipid, and cholesterol concentrations. It appears therefore that it would be very hazardous to treat haemorrhagic shock as a result of major hepatic resection with pharmacological doses of corticosteroids.