CT with the hepatocyte-specific contrast medium FP 736-04 in an experimental model of liver steatosis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether liver uptake of the iodinated hepatocyte-specific lipid emulsion FP 736-04 is altered by fatty infiltration of the liver.


METHODS
Fatty infiltration of the liver was induced in female Sprague-Dawley rats by an intraperitoneal injection of L-ethionine preceded by 15 h of food withdrawal. CT of the liver was performed before and 24 h after the administration of L-ethionine and, in addition at the latter time point, after an i.v. injection of 1.0 ml/kg b.w. of FP 736-04. A control group was subjected to the same CT examination protocol.


RESULTS
Intraperitoneal administration of L-ethionine caused liver steatosis, as established by liver triglyceride analysis, leading to a significant decrease in the liver attenuation, from 69.2 +/- 2.4 to 27.8 +/- 12.0 HU. The uptake of FP 736-04 by the fatty liver was significantly reduced, yielding a maximum enhancement of 22.3 +/- 7.9 HU as compared to a value of 32.3 +/- 5.0 HU in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Enhancement by FP 736-04 was reduced in the steatotic liver compared with the normal liver. It remains to be established whether this degree of enhancement is sufficient for reliable lesion detection.
Bergman
A
A
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
Sundin
A
A
Karpe
F
F
Magnusson
A
A
D000818:Animals; D000963:Antimetabolites / Q000009:adverse effects; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005001:Ethionine / Q000009:adverse effects; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007459:Iodized Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000032:analysis
D000963:Antimetabolites; D003287:Contrast Media; C106557:FP 736-04; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous; D014280:Triglycerides; D007459:Iodized Oil; D002784:Cholesterol; D005001:Ethionine