Assessment of Liver Function Using Pharmacokinetic Parameters of Gd-EOB-DTPA: Experimental Study in Rat Hepatectomy Model

To determine whether the pharmacokinetic parameters of Gd-EOB-DTPA can identify the diference in liver function in a rat hepatectomy model. Methods. A total of 56 eight-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the following groups: control group without hepatectomy (n = 16), 70% hepatectomy group (n = 14), and 90% hepatectomy group (n = 26). On postoperative day 2, Gd-EOB-DTPA (0.1 mmol/kg) was injected intravenously and serial blood samples were obtained. Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using a noncompartmental method. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance and post hoc pairwise group comparisons. Results. Afer excluding 6 rats that died unexpectedly, blood samples were obtained from 16, 14, and 20 rats in the control group, 70% hepatectomy group, and 90% hepatectomy group. There was a signifcant increase in area under the concentration-time curve from time zero to the time of the last measurable concentration between the 70% and 90% hepatectomy group (p < 0.001). The volume of distribution at steady state was signifcantly decreased between the control and 70% hepatectomy group (p < 0.001). The clearance was signifcantly diferent in all pairwise group comparisons (p < 0.001). Conclusions. The vascular clearance of Gd-EOB-DTPA can identify the diference in liver function in a rat hepatectomy model.