A New Liver Function Test Using the Asialoglycoproteinresevtor System on the Liver Cell Membrane

Evaluated the usefulness of a now liver function test using the asialoglycoprotein-asialoglycoprotein receptor system. Semisynthetic neoglycoprotein, which is comparable to asialoglycoprotein in binding with asialoglycoprotein and uptaken by hepatic cells, was labeled with 99mTc. Using this tracer, hepatic scintigrams were obtained, and hepatic clearance was measured.In normal rabbits, the images obtained by 99mTc-neoglycoprotein hepatic scintigraphy were as excellent as those by 99mTc-Sn colloid scintigraphy. In rats with 3'-Me-DAB liver cancer, the tumor area (10mm in diameter) was displayed as an apparent filling defect. This defect image was supported by no activity of asialoglycoprotein receptors in the tumor area.Hepatic clearance was measured following administration of 99mTc-labeled neo glycoprotein to rats with CCl4 chronic hepatopathy. The clearance was prolonged in close association with the progression of hepatic fibrosis and decreases in asialoglycoprotein receptor activity. In the rats with CCl4 hepatic damage, with increases in intrahepatic collagen, the activity of asialoglycoprotein receptors/g wet weight of the live decreased. However, the specific activity of asialoglycoprotein receptors did not change, showing that the the decrease in asialoglycoprotein receptors in chronic liver disease is due to a decrease in the number of hepatic cells.Scintigraphy with 99mTc-labeled neoglycoprotein is usefull for hepatic imaging, and the measurement of 99mTc-labeled neoglycoprotein clearance is useful for evaluating the hepatic reserve capacity.