Disposition of fluorescein-labelled dextran (150 kD) in isolated perfused livers from control and diabetic rats.

Isolated perfused livers were used to study the hepatic disposition of fluorescein-labelled dextran with a MW of 150 kD (FD-150), in control and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. A 100-microliter volume of FD-150 solution (10%, w/v) was injected as a rapid bolus dose into the inlet catheter of the isolated livers, and samples were collected from the outlet catheter in 2-sec intervals for 80 sec. Statistical moment theory was used to calculate the distribution and elimination parameters of the tracer based on the concentrations of FD-150 in the outflow. The values (mean +/- SD) of mean transit time, volume of distribution, and extraction ratio of FD-150 in the isolated livers from control rats were 16.3 +/- 2.00 sec, 0.298 +/- 0.054 ml/g liver, and 0.24, respectively. Similar values were obtained in diabetic livers, suggesting that streptozotocin-induced diabetes does not affect the hepatic disposition of FD-150.