[Quantitative assay of metabolic rate of para-aminobenzoic acid combining glycine for the assessment of rabbit liver function].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate liver function by the assessment of the capacity of glycine combining para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) to form hippuric acid in rabbits with acute liver injury.

METHODS

Thirty rabbits were randomly divided into two groups: experiment group (n=20) received D-galactosamine to be subject to acute liver necrosis, and control group (n=10) received saline as placebo. Serum concentrations of PABA, para-aminohippuric acid (PAHA), para-acetamidobenzoic acid (PAABA), and para-acetamidohippuric acid (PAAHA) were measured by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC).

RESULTS

Compared with control group, the serum concentrations of PAHA and PAAHA were significantly reduced in experimental group, which were correlated with the degree of liver injury.

CONCLUSIONS

The metabolic rate of glycine combining PABA is a sensitive index for quantitative test of liver function and assessment of acute liver necrosis.