Evaluation of the Liver Function for Patients with Chronic Liver Damage Using ^99mTc-Galac-tosyl Human Serum Albumin

Abstract

^99mTc-Galactosyl human serum albumin (^99mTc-GSA) is a new liver imaging radiopharmaceutical which specifically binds to the asialoglycoprotein-receptor on the liver cell membrane.
We investigated the usefulness of^99mTc-GSA for evaluation of the liver function in patients with chronic liver damage. We calculated LHL₁₅ for the index of hepatic uptake and HH₁₅ for the index of clearance. In patients with liver cirrhosis, LHL₁₅ value was higher and HH₁₅ value was lower than those of other groups. Both decrease in LHL₁₅ value and increase in HH₁₅ value were correlated with the severity of the liver damage. Significant correlation was also observed between the prolongation of ICG clearance and both decrease in LHL₁₅ value and increase in HH₁₅ value.
In conclusion, these findings indicate that ^99mTc-GSA can be a useful agent for evaluation of the liver function in patients with chronic liver damage.