Evaluation of usefulness of 99mTc-GSA liver scintigraphy on fatty liver in the rat

99mTc-GSA is a new liver-imaging radiopharmaceutical which binds to the asialoglycoprotein receptors on the hepatocytes. We evaluated liver injury induced by fatty infiltration in the rats. Studies were performed in the Wistar rats under control conditions (6 cases), and with choline deficiency diet for 2, 4, 6, 10 and 12 weeks (6 cases respectively). 99mTc-GSA was administered via the inferior vena cava. Immediately after injection, a dynamic imaging study was performed for 30 min. t90 (the time at which the liver time-activity curve reached 90% of its peak), Ku and Kd (calculated by 2 compartment model) were used as parameters which reflect on asialoglycoprotein receptors on the hepatocytes. t90 prolonged, and Ku and Kd decreased according to the severity of fatty infiltration. These results suggest that 99mTc-GSA is useful for evaluating liver injury induced by fatty infiltration. (author)