Korean J Nucl Med.  1998 Aug;32(4):305-313.

Quantitative Evaluation of Liver Function with Hepatic Receptor Scintigraphy using Tc-99m Galactosylated Serum Albumin ( GSA )

• Lee J

Abstract

The reduction in the amount of asialoglycoprotein (ASGP) receptor, which resides exclusively on the plasma membrane of functioning mammalian hepatocytes, as a consequence of hepato-cellular damage has been demonstrated in various pathologic conditions of the liver. Galac tosylated human serum albumin (GSA) is a newly developed receptor-binding agent, specific for the ASGP receptor. Tc-99m GSA binds quantitatively to liver ASGP receptors and the rate of accumulation in the liver is dependent on hepatic function represented as the amount of receptor, as well as the amount of ligand injected, its affinity to the receptor and the hepatic blood flow. The findings of Tc-99m GSA scintigraphy were reported to reflect the hepatic function of the patients with large hepatic tumors, obstructive jauniice, acute and chronic liver disease. Tc-99m GSA scintigraphy is an easy and reliable test and has the clinical potentials to evaluate the liver function in the patients with hepatic disorders.

Keyword

Asialoglycoprotein receptor; Tc-99m galactosylated serum albumin scintigraphy; Hepatic function; Liver disease

MeSH Terms

Asialoglycoprotein Receptor
Cell Membrane
Evaluation Studies as Topic*
Hepatocytes
Humans
Liver Diseases
Liver*
Radionuclide Imaging*
Serum Albumin*
Asialoglycoprotein Receptor
Serum Albumin