Recovery of hepatic asialoglycoprotein receptors after major hepatic resection

Although morphological restoration of the hepatic mass after partial hepate ctomy has been well studied, fewer reports have appeared on the change of f unctional hepatic capacity during liver regeneration. Asialoglycoprotein re ceptor (ASGP-R) is a hepatic cell surface receptor specific for galactose-t erminated glycoprotein. Kinetic modeling of Tc-99m-labeled diethylenetriami ne pentaacetic acid-galactosyl-human serum albumin (TcGSA) time-activity da ta yields estimates of ASGP-R concentration [R](0) and amount R-0, which ar e directly related to functional liver mass. We have investigated the chang es in ASGP-R status as well as liver volume in regenerating human liver aft er major hepatic resection. Methods: Twenty-two patients (18 noncirrhotic, 4 cirrhotic) had a TcGSA study before and 3 wk after major hepatic resectio n, with a mean hepatic parenchymal resection rate of 36.0%. Results: [R](0) was significantly decreased from 0.683 +/- 0.024 mu mol/L to 0.565 +/- 0.0 32 mu mol/L (P < 0.001) after resection. The decrease in [R](0) was more pr ominent in cirrhotic patients, Recovery of ASGP-R was observed as a signifi cantly increased R, 3 wk after the operation. Subsequent (long-term) restor ation of ASGP-R appeared to be slower when compared with the volume restora tion. Conclusion: ASGP-R concentration of the liver significantly decreased after major hepatic resection. Subsequent recovery of ASGP-R amount was sh own by TcGSA study, By estimating hepatic functional reserve expressed by A SGP-R amount and concentration, one may detect a delayed or impaired liver regeneration with higher sensitivity.