Potential application of neogalactosylalbumin in positron emission tomography evaluation of liver function

To investigate the evaluation of neogalactosylalbumin (NGA) for liver function assessment based on positron emission tomography technology.

Female Kunming mice were assigned randomly to two groups: fibrosis group and normal control group. A murine hepatic fibrosis model was generated by intraperitoneal injection of 10% carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) at 0.4 mL every 48 h for 42 d. ¹⁸F-labeled NGA ([¹⁸F]FNGA) was synthesized and administered at a dosage of 3.7 MBq/mouse to both fibrosis mice and normal control mice. Distribution of [¹⁸F]FNGA amongst organs was examined, and dynamic scanning was performed. Parameters were set up to compare the uptake of tracers by fibrotic liver and healthy liver. Serologic tests for liver function were also performed.

The liver function of the fibrosis model mice was significantly impaired by the use of CCl₄. In the fibrosis model mice, hepatic fibrosis was verified by naked eye assessment and pathological analysis. [¹⁸F]FNGA was found to predominantly accumulate in liver and kidneys in both control group (n = 21) and fibrosis group (n = 23). The liver uptake ability (LUA), peak time (T_p), and uptake rate (LUR) of [¹⁸F]FNGA between healthy liver (n = 8) and fibrosis liver (n = 10) were significantly different (P < 0.05, < 0.01, and < 0.05, respectively). LUA was significantly correlated with total serum protein level (TP) (P < 0.05). T_p was significantly correlated with both TP and glucose (Glu) concentration (P < 0.05 both), and LUR was significantly correlated with both total bile acid and Glu concentration (P < 0.01 and < 0.05, respectively).

[¹⁸F]FNGA mainly accumulated in liver and remained for sufficient time. Functionally-impaired liver showed a significant different uptake pattern of [¹⁸F]FNGA compared to the controls.