Measurement of liver blood flow with radioactive colloidal gold

¹ Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology, Department of Biophysics and Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California

The reliability and sensitivity of the use of colloidal radiogold preparations for measurement of liver blood flow in animals by external -ray scintillation detection methods has been studied for 2 years. During this period control measurements fluctuated sufficiently to justify recommendation that colloidal radiogold preparations intended for blood flow measurement should be tested by suitable bio-assay procedure. Other aspects of blood flow measurement were examined. Estimates of liver blood flow appeared more consistent when determined with half-times for the exponential blood disappearance process than with blood retention values. Half-times for liver uptake of colloidal radiogold agreed with those for blood disappearance such that either values might be used as an index of liver blood flow. Ether anesthesia had no effect upon liver blood flow during these studies upon rabbits. Experimental alterations of the liver blood flow demonstrated the sensitivity of the test for variation in blood flow. For example, total occlusion of the portal vein markedly affected the estimate for blood flow, whereas severe acute carbon tetrachloride poisoning had no effect upon blood flow when tested after 24–48 hr by this method.