Experimental toxic liver damage and hepatic plasma clearance of 99mTc-mebrofenin (iminodiacetate derivative). II. Recovery from the acute, CCl4-induced liver damage.

Liver parenchyma damage was induced in rabbits by the administration of carbon tetrachloride. The animals were serially sacrificed 3, 10, 17 and 31 days post intoxication and examined morphometrically for the extent of necrosis, steatosis and balloon degeneration of hepatocytes. Biochemical indices of the liver damage were studied as well as hepatic clearance of blood plasma from Tc-99m complex of an IDA derivative Tc99m complex (99mTc-mebrofenin--99mTc-MBF) and its uptake and liver transfer characterizing parameters. It was found that toxic effects of CCl4 were conspicuous up to 10 days after administration of carbon tetrachloride. In that period elevated activity of AspAT, ALAT, GGTP and elevated cholesterol and triglycerides were found in the plasma. As in the first paper of this series of works there has been a highly significant statistical association between the Tc-MBF plasma clearance, the uptake and liver transfer of the compound and parenchyma damage in the organ.