The influence of prednisolone on hepatic function in normal subjects. Effects on galactose elimination capacity, sulfobromophthalein transport maximum and storage capacity, and D-glucaric acid output.

In view of the importance of liver tests in the follow-up of patients under treatment with corticosteroid hormones, 20 mg of prednisolone were given by mouth to normal volunteers for 4 days and hepatic function was assessed before and during treatment. Despite significant falls in plasma cortisol and serum bilirubin concentrations, the galactose elimination capacity, the BSP tests, and the urinary D-glucaric acid output remained essentially unchanged. Consequently no pharmacological effect of this corticosteroid hormone on the examined tests could be detected.