Possible Effect of Hydrocortisone on Bilirubin Excretion by the Liver

Abstract

CORTISONE and ACTH have been shown to cause a reduction in serum bilirubin in acute hepatitis.^{1 2 3 4 5 6} Although this action has been more variable in patients with chronic liver disease,^{7 8 9} and in some cases without effect,¹⁰ there is sufficient evidence that these agents can reduce hyperbilirubinemia. However, the mechanism by which this reduction is brought about remains to be defined. Patterson and his associates¹¹ investigated the possible choleretic effect of cortisone and hydrocortisone on the liver by measuring the influence of intravenously and duodenally instilled cortisone and hydrocortisone on volume and bilirubin content of duodenal fluid. They reported an increase in . . .