Usefulness of 99mTc-GSA liver scintigraphy in evaluating hepatic injury in rats induced by temporary hepatic vein occlusion

99mTc-DTPA-galactosyl human serum albumin (99mTc-GSA) is a new liver imaging agent which binds to heptic binding protein. This study evaluated the sensitivity of 99mTc-GSA kinetics and imaging anatomy to congestive hepatic injury in rats. Regional hepatic congestion was induced by clamping the left hepatic vein for 5, 10, 20, 40, or 90 min. After recanalization, 99mTc-GSA was intravenously administered to rats. A dynamic imaging study was performed, followed by static liver imaging performed for 5 min. A hepatic accumulation index, t90, was obtained on the basis of the dynamic data. A significant difference in t90 was observed between the experimental groups and the controls (p<0.01). A significant difference in s-GPT also was observed between the experimental groups and the controls (p<0.01). Excellent correlations were seen between t90 and ligation time (r=0.967, p<0.001), and t90 and s-GPT (r=0.907, p<0.001). Marked depression in hepatic 99mTc-GSA uptake was observed in rats with 40 or 90 min of hepatic vein occlusion. In conclusion, 99mTc-GSA is useful for evaluating hepatic injury in rats induced by hepatic vein occlusion. (author)