Studies on lymphostatic diseases of the liver using 131I-HSA

The purpose of this investigation is to clarify the mechanisms of liver congestion by the tissue clearance method using 131I-labeled human serum albumin 131I-HSA. Direct injection of 131I-HSA into hepatic parenchyma of the dog was followed by measurement of its radioactivity by external counting. The disappearing 131I-HSA showed two exponential curves, which suggested that the injected 131I-HSA was carried away by blood flow at first, but later by lymph and bile flow; the component of the first curve was due to disappearance of 131I-HSA through blood vessels and that of the second curve was through lymph and bile duct. The T1/2 of the second phase was used as an index of the lymphodynamics of the liver. Various hepatic diseases were studied in the same manner. The clearance of 131I-HSA was delayed more in chronic hepatic diseases than in normal subjects. A close correlation was observed between the T1/2 in various hepatic diseases, the liver function test, and the scintigraphic findings. The clearance of 131I-HSA introduced directly into the hepatic parenchyma may indicate the lymphodynamics of the liver. A correlation was found between the hepatic lymph and the intrahepatic bile duct. The clearance of 131I-HSA was delayed more in chronic hepatic diseases than in normal subjects. The amount of hepatic lymph flow may be proportional to that of hepatic blood flow and could then be considered an indication of fibrous changes in the liver. (auth.)