The estimation of the functional activity of the reticuloendothelial system using 99mTc-phytate in hepatectomized rat

The reticuloendothelial system (RES) constitutes an important part of cellular host defense in the removal of bacteria, immune complexes and microthrombi from the blood. The function of the RES, an estimation as a functional reserve in the liver is very important for the decision of an operative indication for hepatoma with cirrhosis. We examined the RES function, using pharmacokinetic techinique. The animal experiments by autoradiography showed that the 99mTc-phytate was uptaken into the RES. The elimination rate of the 99mTc-phytate from the systemic circulation in rats was analyzed by two-compartment open model. We could diagnose the RES function observating the change of the α-phase of the elimination curve in hepatectomized, cirrhotic and DIC rats. The functional test on the RES with 99mTc-phytate might be useful for one of the estimation of hepatic functional reserve in a large clinical field.