Labelled dyes, a new 125I-indomonocarbocyanine and 125I-BSP, in the exploration of experimental cholestasis and steatosis in the rat.

A new dye, an indomonocarbocyanine labelled with radioactive iodine, was studied in normal rats and in rats with experimental diseases. After i.v. injection, the cyanine was selectively concentrated in the liver and eliminated in the bile; urinary excretion was found to be minimal but increased in rats with ligated bile duct. In addition, the blood clearance kinetics of the labelled dyes were significantly modified in cases of hepatic cholestasis or steatosis. A comparative study was carried out with 125I-BSP; the results showed that these 2 dyes may be considered as complementary in the exploration of liver function.