Reticulo-endothelial function in rats with obstructive jaundice.

Reticulo-endothelial function was evaluated by measuring the biokinetics of a standardized 99mTc-sulphur colloid using scintillation camera technique in rats with biliary obstruction. There was no difference in the uptake of the colloid in the liver (K1) between sham operation and biliary obstruction at 1 week and 3 weeks. However, when corrected for changes in liver volume, the corrected colloidal uptake rate (cK1) of the liver was significantly decreased in 1 week's biliary obstruction (P less than 0.005 compared with sham operation) and 3 weeks' biliary obstruction (P less than 0.025 compared with 1 week obstruction). Colloidal uptake rate of the extrahepatic reticulo-endothelial system (K2) was significantly increased (P less than 0.005) in rats with 3 weeks' biliary obstruction. Activity distribution of 99mTc-sulphur colloid in 3 weeks' biliary obstruction was significantly decreased in both total organ basis and per gram basis (P less than 0.005). The results demonstrated a depression of RE activity of the liver in biliary obstruction.