In vivo estimates of hepatic binding protein concentration: correlation with classical indicators of hepatic functional reserve.

Hepatic binding protein (HBP) is a hepatic cell surface receptor specific for asialoglycoprotein. In vivo estimates of HBP concentration ([HBP]) were compared to classical indicators for hepatic functional reserve to clarify the validity of [HBP] in estimating the hepatic functional reserve in 30 humans. Estimates of [HBP] were obtained based on kinetic analysis of liver and blood time-activity data resulting from the hepatic clearance of a single injection of technetium-99m galactosyl-neoglycoalbumin, which is a synthetic analog radioligand specific to HBP. Estimates of [HBP] ranged 0.054 to 0.720 microM. Estimates of [HBP] in normal volunteers were 0.668 +/- 0.050 microM, whereas that in liver cirrhosis were 0.188 +/- 0.112 microM. The difference between the mean values of [HBP] estimates was statistically significant (p = 0.0001). Good correlations were observed between [HBP] and prothrombin time (r = 0.625, p = 0.0002), serum albumin level (r = 0.687, p = 0.0001), serum cholinesterase level (r = 0.764, p = 0.0001), indocyanine green plasma disappearance rate (r = 0.602, p = 0.0024), and Child-Turcotte classification score (Pugh's modification) (r = -0.797, p = 0.0001). We concluded that excellent correlations of [HBP] with classical indicators for hepatic functional reserve suggest potential value of [HBP] as a sensitive measure of functioning hepatocyte mass.