Investigation of distribution and elimination of terbutaline sulfate in the perfused rat liver preparation.

Hepatic distribution and elimination of terbutaline sulfate (TBS) was investigated in the in situ isolated perfused rat liver preparation. Perfusion experiments were conducted using Krebs bicarbonate buffer delivered via the portal vein in a single-pass mode at a total flow rate of 15 mL min(-1). TBS was administered as a bolus (2 mg mL(-1)) in the absence and presence of erythrocytes (50% hematocrit) or albumin (1%).

Estimation of hepatic distributional volumes using non-labeled reference markers.

Hepatic distributional volumes were investigated in the in situ perfused rat liver. Perfusion experiments were conducted using Krebs bicarbonate buffer delivered via the portal vein in single-pass mode at a total flow rate of 15 mL/min. A bolus dose of normal erythrocytes (RBC, vascular marker) and Evans blue (EB, extracellular marker) respectively was administered in the presence and absence of protein.

Human erythrocytes are not suitable for determination of intravascular volume of perfused rat liver.

Homologous or heterologous erythrocytes have been widely used for the estimation of intravascular volume of the liver. However, cross-species blood mediates immune response in the organ, and foreign cells are rapidly cleared from the plasma, indicating that heterologous erythrocytes may not be a suitable marker for determination of vascular space. This aspect was investigated in the perfused rat liver preparation following bolus administration of human (heterologous) erythrocytes into the portal vein.

Potential use of freeze-drying technique for estimation of tissue water content.

Desiccation and freeze-drying methods were used for the estimation of water content of various rat tissues. In the desiccation method, the tissue samples were cut into small pieces and subsequently dried at 40 degrees C to constant weight. In the freeze-drying method, the prefrozen tissue samples were freeze-dried (-50 degrees C) for 24 h.