Effects of caloric restriction on the kinetics of indocyanine green in patients with liver diseases and in the rat.

The effect of caloric restriction on the hepatic uptake and excretion of indocyanine green (ICG) was studied in man as well as in rats. It was demonstrated that following a 72-hr caloric restriction in man, the plasma clearance rate for ICG was increased significantly at the low dose of 0.5 mg/kg, and transport maximum was increased without a significant change of storage capacity. In rats, the maximal biliary excretion was significantly increased after 48-hr fast, but neither maximal hepatic uptake (Vmax) nor hepatic ICG content was altered. The evidence is consistent with the view that fasting increases the ICG plasma clearance at low doses by enhancement of excretory steps at the bile canalicular membrane.