Relationship between initial hepatic uptake of indocyanine green and hepatic energy status in hepatectomized rabbits

The relationship between initial hepatic uptake of indocyanine green (ICG) and hepatic energy status was studied in about 70% hepatectomized rabbits. At 24 h after hepatectomy, the initial plasma disappearance rate (K) and the maximal removal rate (Rmax) of ICG fell to 27 and 26%, respectively, and the mitochondrial phosphorylative activity was enhanced maximally with a concomitant decrease in the energy charge ( (ATP+1/2ADP)/(ATP+ADP+AMP) ) level. Afterward, the initial reduction of ICG removal rate was followed by a rapid increase in week 1 and more gradual return to preoperative values by week 6 after hepatectomy. In the early period after hepatectomy (1-7 days), the mitochondrial phosphorylative activity was the higher the smaller the %K value was, while in the late period after hepatectomy (1-6 weeks), the mitochondrial phosphorylative activity remained unchanged irrespective of increasing %K. It is suggested that the mitochondrial phosphorylative activity may be a better guide to evaluate the functional status of the remnant liver than the initial hepatic uptake of ICG, especially in the early period after hepatoctomy.