Clearance of bromosulphthalein from plasma as a measure of hepatic function in normal horses and in horses with liver disease.

The study focuses on using the clearance rate of a compound, bromosulphthalein (BSP), injected into horses, to measure liver function. It’s shown to work effectively without any bias in age, weight, or sex, and provides a useful procedure for diagnosing and determining the course of liver disease in horses.

Method and Findings

• The study utilized single, intravenous injections of BSP into the subjects. BSP is a dye that’s usually used in liver function tests because it’s processed and excreted by the liver.
• By monitoring the change in plasma concentration of BSP over time, the researchers were able to record and analyze a set of proportional transfer constants labelled ‘a’, ‘h’, and ‘b’. These constants allowed the researchers to evaluate the liver’s function accurately.
• The study found no differentiation in BSP clearance across various categories of horses, reinforcing the consistency of the method. Age, weight, or sex did not affect the clearance rate of BSP in normal horses.
• This method of liver function testing was also found to be non-invasive, suitable for conscious animals, and repeatable, making it an excellent tool for veterinary practices.

Impact on Liver Disease Diagnosis and Prognosis

• The ability to measure these transfer constants ‘a’, ‘h’, and ‘b’, offered an accurate way to diagnose and predict the progression of liver disease.
• These findings have significant implications for veterinary medicine, particularly in the context of diagnosing and treating liver disease in horses. The BSP clearance method represents an effective, non-invasive, and unbiased approach to liver function testing.