The function of hepatocyte asialoglycoprotein receptors was analyzed in normal subjects, in patients with Wilson's disease and in patients with chronic hepatitis C. A new radionucide liver imaging, using Technetium-99 m diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid-galactosyl human serum albumin, was applied to evaluate the function of the receptor, and a Receptor Index, LHL 15, which was calculated by dividing the radioactivity of the liver region-of-interest (ROT) by that of the liver plus heart ROT at 15 min after the radiolabeled ligand injection, was evaluated. The values were similar between the patients with Wilson's disease and patients with chronic hepatitis C. Hepatocyte receptors for asialoglycoproteins were not affected specifically in patients with Wilson's disease, suggesting that the defect in patients with Wilson's disease involves steps other than receptor-mediated endocytosis of asialoceruloplasmin via asialoglycoprotein receptor.