BLOOD CLEARANCE OF TC-99M-TRIMETHYL-BR-IDA DISCRIMINATES BETWEEN DIFFERENT DEGREES OF SEVERE LIVER ISCHEMIA-REPERFUSION INJURY IN THE RAT

The kinetics of Tc-99m-Trimethyl-Br-IDA blood clearance was analysed i n the rat 24 h after warm ischaemia and reperfusion of the liver. Ther e were changes in the elimination of Tc-99m-Trimethyl-Br-IDA depending on the length of the ischaemic period and the dose given. Statistical ly significant differences were found between the various periods of i schaemia when higher doses of the radionuclide were utilised. At lower doses, the clearance was not capable to discriminate between control rats and rats submitted to 45 mill of ischaemia, but it did discrimina te more severe degrees of ischaemic liver injury. Instead, galactose e limination capacity discriminated between ischaemic and control rats, but not between 45 and 90 min or between 90 and 120 min of ischaemia, Alanine aminotransferase was able to discriminate between control and ischaemic rats and between 45 and 90 mill of ischaemia, but not betwee n 90 and 120 min of ischaemia. The response of Tc-99m-Trimethyl-Br-IDA clearance under extreme conditions of ischaemia and reperfusion is co nsistent and opens a possible window for the application of this test in the quantification of liver function in severely damaged livers and in decision making and prognosis in liver disease.