Indocyanine green pharmacokinetics in rats with progressive carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatocellular insufficiency

Indocyanine green (ICG, CAS 3599-32-4) kinetics were used to assess hepatic function in rats with progressive hepatic disease induced by carbon tetrachloride administered by two different routes (intragastric and intraperitoneal). Four groups of animals with hepatic insufficiency (4, 6, 8, 10 weeks of intoxication) and two control groups (with or without phenobarbital/oil) were studied. After an i.v. bolus (1 mg/kg) of ICG, blood samples were collected for 120 min at definite time. For the intragastric route, ICG clearance and volume of distribution at steady-state were significantly decreased (p < 0.05), area under the curve and terminal half-life were significantly increased (p < 0.05). By contrast, no significant difference was observed after intraperitoneal administration, although the same pathological pattern was observed between the two routes of administration. This study proved the clinical importance of drug pharmacokinetics knowledge in liver disease and confirmed that ICG disposition is an adequate method for assessing hepatic function and dysfunction in animals with progressive liver disease.