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.

View full abstract

The effect of destruction of the internal capusule, caudate, globus pallidus and putamen on threshold of the arousal reaction and evoked muscular discharge due to stimulation of cerebral cortex, photo-evoked eyelid microvibration (MV) and photopalpebral reflex (PPR) was investigated in the rabbit.
The effect of administration of CDP-choline and TRH for 4 weeks was investigated using rabbits with experimentaly damaged internal capusule, and for the influence of stopping the administration of these drugs at the 2 weeks was also investigated.
EEG activity following IC destruction was studied in rabbits by the topographic system.
1) The threshold of the arousal reaction and evoked muscural discharge increased markedly following internal capusule destruction.
2) The threshold increased slig htly following caudate, globus pallidus and putamen destruction, but did not show prominent changes in comparison with internal capusule des t r uction.
3) The changes in amplitude of MV following internal capusule destruction was di vided into 2 groups, one in which the amplitude is decreased and the other in which the amplitu d e is increased.
4) The amplitude of MV was increased after caudate and putamen destruction, and was decreased after globus pallidus destruction.
5) The amplitude of the late comp onents (PPR₅-PPR₉) was depressed by internal capusule destruction, slightly intensified by caudate and putamen destruction, and slightly d e p ressed by globus pallidus destruction.
6) The increase of thre shold in the arousal reaction and the evoked muscular discharge by internal capusule destruction was suppressed by administration of CDP-choline and TRH.
7) TRH had a greater effect on the threshold of arousal reaction, while CDP-choline had a greater effect on the threshold of evoked muscular discharge.
8) The suppressed amplitude of MV by internal capusu le destruction was restored and the increased amplitude of MV by internal capusule destruction was suppressed by admini s tration of CDP-choline.
9) The suppressed amplitude of MV by internal capusule destruction was restored and the increased amplitude of MV by internal capusule destruction was more greatly increased b y administration of TRH.
10) The suppressed ampulitude of the late components of PPR by internal capusule destruction was restored by the administration of CDP-choline.

View full abstract