Experimental toxic liver damage and hepatic plasma clearance of 99mTc-mebrofenin (iminodiacetate derivative). III. Chronic CCl4-induced liver damage with eventual cirrhosis in rabbits.

Chronic damage to liver parenchyma was induced in rabbits by the long-term administration of carbon tetrachloride. The animals were serially sacrificed 3, 6 and 9 months after the start of intoxication, and examined histopathologically. The biological response was qualitatively assessed from results of histological studies, and measured utilizing series of typical biochemical indices of liver damage, 99mTc-mebrofenin (an-IDA-derivative) plasma clearance by the liver, and quantified indices of uptake and organ transfer of the compound. It was found that the plasma clearance and transfer parameters show association with chronic liver damage. The reduction of plasma 99mTc-mebrofenin clearance in intoxicated rabbits was also associated with changes in the biochemical indices of liver function and damage.