Background: We have reported that hepatic arterial steroid injection is an effective therapy to rescue patients from fulminant or severe acute hepatic failure. We speculate that a high concentration of steroid suppresses inflammatory processes in the liver directly by restraining activated inflammatory cells, including macrophages. To analyse the detailed mechanism, steroid injection via the portal vein was performed in an experimental model of liver damage. Methods: Rats subjected to lipopolysaccharide and D-galactosamine injection were treated with a methylprednisolone injection via the tail vein or the portal vein. The survival rate, serum levels of inflammatory cytokines and apoptotic cell counts in the liver were analysed. Results: The survival rate was significantly improved by steroid injection, especially via the portal vein. Serum values of alanine aminotransferase, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma were reduced in the treated groups, especially the group given portal venous injections. Apoptotic cell counts in the liver were significantly lower in the group injected with steroid via the portal vein. Conclusion: In the model rats, high concentrations of steroid in the liver acted on inflammatory cells and suppressed inflammatory cytokines and liver cell death. The mechanism is suggested to be the same for arterial steroid injection therapy in patients with acute hepatic failure.
