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Liver function assessment: Application and improvement in clinical practice

Preoperative liver function assessment is very important for surgical planning and prognosis. A comprehensive scoring system incorporates various parameters which reflect a certain aspect of liver function such as synthesis and secretion, as well as impact of related organs. Currently, various metabolic liver function tests differ in their ability to reflect liver function. Combination of the scoring system with metabolic tests can better assess liver function and prognosis. However, these assessments only account for overall liver function. Liver volume assessment allows obtaining every segment volume without function, especially in case of cirrhosis. Imaging technique based on asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) reflects liver function in three dimensions and is now considered a promising liver function assessment. When combined with computer technology, it allows surgeons to perform resection simulation and evaluate surgical risk and prognosis preoperatively.

13C- mithacetin breath test for assessment of liver functional capacity

AIM: To investigate the clinical significance of ¹³C-mithacetin breath tests for assessment and the classification of liver functional capacity.

METHODS: Twelve healthy volunteers served as a control group. Patients (test group) with different kinds of liver diseases were divided into 4 sub-groups: compensatory period (n = 4), Child-Pugh classification A, B, C (n = 12, 12, 16, respectively). Patients in both groups were examined for liver function by a biochemical test after orally taking ¹³C-mithacetin (75 mg). Gas breathed out was collected at 9 different time within 120 min. The samples were analyzed with mass spectrograph to obtain DOB, MV and CUM curves and CUM120 value.

RESULTS: Biochemical index such as ALB and pre-albumin (PA) in patients of test group (Child-Pugh A, B and C) were significantly decreased as compared with those in patients of control group (ALB: 33.1 ± 3.1, 29.3 ± 6.5, 27.9 ± 5.0 vs 36.6 ± 4.7; PA: 119.7 ± 51.0, 104.3 ± 21.1, 77.4 ± 32.9 vs 176.4 ± 68.2; P < 0.05). The classifications of liver capacity significantly related to the values of ALB and PA (P < 0.05). Peak values of DOB and MV curves negatively related to the peak time in the test group (DOB: r = -0.48, P < 0.01; MV: r = -0.57, P < 0.01). Peak values of DOB, MV and CUM decreased with the development of liver dysfunction. Significant difference existed between the test group (Child-Pugh A, B, and C respectively) and control group (DOB: 10.4 ± 3.39, 6.71 ± 3.58, 4.00 ± 1.40 vs 20.93 ± 7.56; MV: 13.12 ± 9.51, 11.61 ± 8.02, 10.20 ± 4.99 vs 29.53; CUM: 18.09 ± 18.09, 16.60 ± 16.60, 15.82 ± 15.82 vs 30.67 ± 2.85; P < 0.05 repectively). CUM120 values in patients of the test group (Child-Pugh A, B, and C) significantly decreased as compared with those in patients of control group (63.61 ± 36.67, 59.32 ± 24.73, 52.62 ± 23.92 vs 109.45 ± 10.26; P < 0.05), but no significant decrease appeared among sub-groups.

CONCLUSION: ¹³C-mithacetin breath test is a safe, effective method in assessment and classification of liver capacity. Mean peak values of DOB, MV and CUM curves and CUM120 value decrease with the development of liver dysfunctions. Peak values are more clinically significant than peak time.