Effect of some selected anti-inflammatory steroids on elastin content in liver of rats treated with carbon tetrachloride.

Hepatic fibrosis was induced in rats by poisoning them with carbon tetrachloride. The influence of anti-inflammatory steroids (hydrocortisone, prednisone, dexamathasone) upon elastin content in liver was investigated in healthy and CCl4 intoxicated rats. An increase of liver elastin content was observed in animals with CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis Opposite results were obtained in normal rats after treating them with glucocorticosteroids. A decrease of elastin content after steroid treatment was also found in rats with injured liver, as compared to animals receiving CCl4 only. Presumable mechanisms of the results are discussed.