Use of Radioiodinated Antipyrine to Measure Liver Function in the Rat. ∗

Abstract

Summary

To determine whether impairment of liver function interferes with release of I¹³¹ tag from radioiodinated antipyrine, groups of rats were functionally hepatectomized. poisoned with carbon tetrachloride or poisoned with dl-ethionine. RIAP was then injected intravenously and the diffusibility of the I¹³¹ tag through a cellophane membrane measured after one hour. Functional hepatectoray resulted in a marked decrease in diffusibility, while carbon tetrachloride and dl-ethionine poisoning produced a significant decrease in diffusibility. Return of liver function after carbon tetrachloride poisoning resulted in an increase of diffusibility. The data support the conclusion that the release of I¹³¹ tag from RIAP is a function of the liver and can be used to measure liver function.