Relation between blood clearance and hepatic uptake of 99mTc-phytate in rats with hepatic injury

The relation among the blood clearance of 99mTc-phytate (99mTc-P), the hepatic uptake of 99mTc-P and the severity of hepatic injury was investigated by using the rats with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), D-galactosamine (Gal N), alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) or DL-ethionine (EthN) induced hepatic injury. After the administration of CCl4, GalN or ANIT, serum GPT activity increased significantly with the increase of dose level, and the degree of this increase was in the order: GalN greater than CCl4 greater than ANIT. However, the mild increase in serum GPT activity was observed after EthN administration. The blood clearance rate of 99mTc-P and the hepatic uptake ratio of 99mTc-P decreased with the increase of dose level after CCl4, GalN or ANIT administration, but significant changes were not found after EthN administration. The degree of decrease in the blood clearance rate of 99mTc-P was in the order: GalN not equal to CCl4 greater than ANIT, and the degree of decrease in the hepatic uptake ratio of 99mTc-P was in the order: GalN not equal to CCl4 greater than ANIT. These results suggest that the disorder in the hepatocytes may be one of causes for inducing the decrease in the hepatic uptake of 99mTc-P, and the consequence of this decrease may induce the decrease in the blood clearance of 99mTc-P.