[1-13C]galactose breath test for quantitative measurement of liver function in a short period

Background: Using a rat model of hepatectomy, we investigated whether the severity of hepatopathy could be quantitatively measured from changes in expiratory (CO2)-C-13 levels after intravenous administration of [1-C-13]galactose. Materials and Methods: Under nembutal anesthesia, 100 mg/kg [1-C-13]galactose was administered to rats via the femoral vein, and expiratory (CO2)-C-13 levels were measured for 60 min. Then, 30, 70 or 90% hepatectomy was performed. In the control group, simple laparotomy was performed. Breath test was conducted 20 min after laparotomy. We examined the correlation of total (CO2)-C-13 output (S) or Single point (CO2)-C-13 level (SP) every 5 min until 30 min, and at 45 and 60 min with liver weight/body weight (LW/BW) (%), Results: In the control group, the breath test graph reached a plateau level, but in all groups undergoing hepatectomy a plateau level was not reached during measurement. The correlation coefficient between S-30 after [1-C-13]galactose administration and LW/BW was 0.889 (p < 0.0001). The correlation coefficient between SP25 after [1-C-13]galactose administration and LW/BW was highest, 0.923 (p < 0.0001), Conclusion: in the breath test with intravenously administered [1-C-13]galactose, hepatopathy could be evaluated by measuring S30 and hepatopathy could be more accurately quantitatively evaluated by measuring SP25 over a short period. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG. Basel.