Plasma elimination of cholyl-lysyl-fluorescein (CLF): a pilot study in patients with liver cirrhosis

: Background: Cholyl‐lysyl‐fluorescein (CLF) is a fluorescein‐labelled bile acid whose biological behaviour closely resembles that of naturally occurring cholyl glycine. Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze the CLF plasma elimination in patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods: A dose of CLF at 0.02 mg/kg b.w. was administered i.v. in 26 patients with liver cirrhosis and 9 healthy volunteers. Blood samples were collected before injection and then at 10 min intervals over 60 min. Plasma fluorescence was measured by a luminescence spectrometer and residual fluorescence over the time of the study was compared in each group. Routine liver function tests (rLFTs) were performed before each injection. Results: Plasma elimination of CLF was significantly impaired in patients with cirrhosis compared to healthy subjects with p values