Diagnostic agent for liver function

Abstract: The present invention relates to a diagnostic agent for liver function, comprising a compound labelled with 13 C at least at one specific position selected from the group consisting of the following (a) to (f): (a) galactose, glucose or xylose labelled with 13 C at least at one specific position or a starch composed of glucose units labelled with 13 C at least at one specific position; (b) a polar amino acid, heterocyclic amino acid, isoleucine or valine labelled with 13 C at least at one specific position; (c) a carboxylic acid constituting the glycolytic pathway or the citric acid cycle, labelled with 13 C at least at one specific position; (d) a fatty acid labelled with 13 C at least at one specific position; (e) a glyceride labelled with 13 C at least at one specific position; and (f) glycerol labelled with 13 C at least at one specific position. According to the present invention, a diagnostic agent for liver function which imposes less physical burden on a subject, can give accurate test result immediately, and can be used safely without side effects is provided. The diagnostic agent of the invention is useful for evaluating the liver function of a subject at the time when the test is carried out.

Description: The present invention relates to a diagnostic agent for liver function. More specifically, the invention relates to a diagnostic agent for liver function, comprising a compound labelled with 13 C at least at one specific position. Test methods generally used in the screening of liver function disorder are blood biochemical tests to quantitatively determine enzymes such as transaminases (GPT and GOT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in blood. These enzymes leak out from the liver tissue of a patient into the blood when he/she has a liver function disorder. Among all, GPT and GOT are enzymes mainly present in the liver. While their blood levels are low under normal conditions, the levels increase remarkably at the time of liver function disorders. Thus, GPT and GOT are excellent indicators which detect liver function disorders sensitively. However, in the case of patients suffering from chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis whose liver function is remarkably lowered, enzyme leakage from the liver decreases since the amounts of enzymes present in the liver tissue decrease. Thus, enzyme leakage may not exhibit high values even when the degree of disorder is high (Diagnosis and Treatment Today, CD-ROM Vol. 6, Igaku-Shoin Ltd.). Besides, since it will take some time for the leaked out enzymes to disappear from the blood, high values may be obtained from a subject who has been already recovered from a liver function disorder at the time of the test. Therefore, quantitative determination of these enzymes is insufficient as a test method to determination of these enzymes is insufficient as a test method to evaluate the degree of a liver function disorder. In particular, at the time of a surgical operation of a liver, it is very important to evaluate the degree of a hepatic disorder and the liver function of a patient (Practice of Diagnosis & Treatment in Digestive Apparatuses 1: Diagnostic Approach to Hepatic Disorders, Teruyuki Ohkubo (Ed.), Bunko-Do Co.). At present, determination of serum bilirubin levels and ICG tolerance test are mainly conducted for the evaluation of the degree of a hepatic disorder and the liver function. However, these tests have problems, respectively (Practice of Diagnosis & Treatment in Digestive Apparatuses 1: Diagnostic Approach to Hepatic Disorders, Teruyuki Ohkubo (Ed.), Bunko-Do Co.). For example, increase in serum bilirubin level not necessarily indicates the lowering of liver function. Besides, it is difficult to follow those processes in which liver function changes drastically for a short period of time after a hepatic operation. In ICG tolerance test, reliable results cannot be obtained when bilirubin levels are high, because ICG competes with bilirubin when it is taken into liver cells. Under such circumstances, a means is desired by which the degree of a hepatic disorder and the liver function of a subject at the time of a test can be evaluated safely and simply regardless of the conditions of the subject. Seminars in Liver Disease, Vol. 3, No. 4, pages 318-329, 1983 (Baker et al.) provides a review of the clinical utility of breath tests using various 13 C and 14 C-labelled substances for the assessment of hepatic function. WO-A-92/0193'7 relates to a method of measuring the contribution of one or more exogenously administered 13 C-labelled substrates to acetyl-CoA. The measurement can be made in a tissue or cell using 13 C NMR. WO-A-94/28941 discloses a test for determining hepatic function. The test uses oral administration of isotope labelled phenylalanine or tyrosine (particularly 13 C phenylalanine) in a rapid breath test. NO-A-91/18105 discloses a process for the production of compounds labelled with stable isotopes of carbon. The process involves the cultivation of microorganisms capable of producing such compounds in appropriately controlled environments. In particular, the document discloses a process for the production of 13 C-labelled algal oil. Gastroenterology, Vol. 71, No. 1, 1976, pages 98-101 (Shreeve et al) discloses a test for alcoholic cirrhosis by conversion of 14 C- or 13 C-galactose to expired CO 2 . In this test, the galactose is ingested by subjects and the 14 CO 2 or 13 CO 2 concentration measured four hours later by liquid scintillation counting or by mass spectroscopy, respectively. Life Sciences, Vol. 54, No. 26, pages 2093-2098, 1994 (Mion et al.) describes an in vivo study of the hepatotoxic effect of CCl 4 using 13 C breath tests. The labelled substrates are galactose and aminopyrine. European Journal of Pediatrics, Vol. 156 (S1), 1997, pages S18-S23 (Rating and Langhans) discloses the use of various 13 C-labelled compounds for the investigation of different pediatric medical conditions. Gastroenterology, Vol. 82, No. 5, 1982, pages 911-917 (Watkins et al) discloses the employment of 13 C-labelled trioctanoin, triolein and palmitic acid in breath tests. These tests were for the diagnosis and differentiation of fat malabsorption in children. It is an object of the present invention to provide a diagnostic agent for liver function which can evaluate the liver function of a subject safely and simply regardless of the conditions of the subject. As a result of intensive and extensive researches, the present inventors have found that it is possible to diagnose the liver function of a subject correctly by administering to the subject a compound labelled with 13 C at least at one position and measuring the degrees of increase of 13 C levels in the exhaled CO 2 . Thus, the present invention has been achieved. The present invention relates to the use of a compound in the manufacture of a composition for the diagnosis by 13 CO 2 breath test of liver function, the compound being labelled with 13 C at least at one position, and wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of the following (a) to (d): (a) glucose or xylose labelled with 13 C at least at one position or a starch composed of glucose units labelled with 13 C at least at one position; (b) a polar amino acid, wherein the polar amino acid is arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, glutamine, glutamic acid, cysteine, cystine, glycine, lysine, serine, threonine or ornithine a heterocyclic amino acid, isoleucine or valine labelled with 13 C at least at one position; (c) a carboxylic acid constituting the glycolytic pathway or the citric acid cycle, labelled with 13 C at least at one position; (d) glycerol labelled with 13 C at least at one position. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a method for recovering exhalation from a rat. Fig. 2. shows the increase of 13 CO 2 in exhalation after administration of 1- 13 C-glucose. Fig. 3 shows the increase of 13 CO 2 in exhalation after administration of 3- 13 C-glucose. Fig. 4 shows the increase of 13 CO 2 in exhalation after administration of U- 13 C-starch. Fig. 5 shows the increase of 13 CO 2 in exhalation after administration of 1- 13 C-arginine. Fig. 6 shows the increase of 13 CO 2 in exhalation after administration of 1- 13 C-histidine. Fig. 7 shows the increase of 13 CO 2 in exhalation after administration of 1,2- 13 C-ornithine. Fig. 8 shows the increase of 13 CO 2 in exhalation after administration of 1- 13 C-valine. Fig. 9 shows the increase of 13 CO 2 in exhalation after administration of 1- 13 C-lysine. Fig. 10 shows the increase of 13 CO 2 in exhalation after administration of 1- 13 C-serine. Fig. 11 shows the increase of 13 CO 2 in exhalation after administration of 1- 13 C-threonine. Fig. 12 shows the increase of 13 CO 2 in exhalation after administration of 1- 13 C-cysteine. Fig. 13 shows the increase of 13 CO 2 in exhalation after administration of 1- 13 C-glutamic acid. Fig. 14 shows the increase of 13 CO 2 in exhalation after administration of 1- 13 C-proline. Fig. 15 shows the increase of 13 CO 2 in exhalation after administration of 1,1- 13 C-cystine, Fig. 16 shows the increase of 13 CO 2 in exhalation after administration of 1- 13 C-lactic acid. Fig. 17 shows the increase of 13 CO 2 in exhalation after administration of 3- 13 C-lactic acid. Fig. 18 shows the increase of 13 CO 2 in exhalation after administration of 1- 12 C-pyruvic acid. Fig. 19 shows the increase of 13 CO 2 in exhalation after administration of 3- 13 C-pyruvic acid. Fig. 20 shows the increase of 13 CO 2 in exhalation after administration of 1,4- 13 C-succinic acid. Fig. 21 shows the increase of 13 CO 2 in exhalation after administration of 2 -13 C-glycerol. Hereinbelow, the present invention will be described in detail. In the invention, glucose or xylose labelled with 13 C at least at one position or a starch composed of glucose units labelled with 13 C at least at one position may be used. The position of the labelling is not particularly limited. Alternatively, a polar amino acid (as listed below) heterocyclic amino acid, isoleucine or valine labelled with 13 C at least at one position may be used in the invention. The position of the labelling is not particularly limited. The polar amino acid is limited to, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, glutamine, glutamic acid, cysteine, cystine, glycine, lysine, serine, threonine and ornithine. As the heterocyclic amino acid, preferable examples includes, but are not limited to, tryptophan, proline and histidine. Alternatively, a carboxylic acid constituting the glycolytic pathway or the citric acid cycle, labelled with 13 C at least at one position may be used in the invention. The position of the labelling is not particularly limited. As the carboxylic acid constituting the glycolytic pathway or the citric acid cycle, preferable examples include, but are not limited to, pyruvic acid, lactic acid, succinic acid and citric acid. Alternatively, glycerol labelled with 13 C at least at one position may be used in the invention. The position of the labelling is not particularly limited. The above-mentioned compounds used in the present invention are contained in foods. Further, unlike radioisotopes, 13 C is a stable isotope. Thus, there is no danger of exposure to radiation. Accordingly, the diagnostic agent of the invention has no problem in its safety. The test using the diagnostic agent of the invention is a breath test in which the agent is administered to a subject once or a plurality of times and then the increase of 13 C levels in the exhaled CO 2 is measured. Specifically, 13 C levels in the exhaled CO 2 after administration of the agent are measured, followed by evaluation of the subject's liver function from data on the degree of increase of 13 C levels in the exhaled CO 2 ( Δ 13 C (%)) at predetermined intervals (e.g., 5 min, 10 min, 15 min) after the administration, total amount of 13 CO 2 exhalation for a predetermined time after administration of the reagent or on the time course (slope at the start, change in the slope, peak time, etc.) of the degree of increase of 13 C levels in the exhaled CO 2 (Δ 13 C (%o)) for a predetermined time period after the administration. The results of such a breath test are useful by themselves. However, it is more preferable to use these results in combination with bilirubin values or the like for the judgement of liver function. 13 C levels in exhaled CO 2 can be determined using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS), infrared spectrophotometry, mass spectrometry, photoelectric acoustic spectrophotometry and NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance). The diagnostic agent of the invention for liver function can be formulated into pharmaceutical preparations such as parenteral agents (tablets, capsules, powder, granules, liquid, etc.), injections and the like, depending on the administration route, by using the above-described compound labelled with 13 C at least at one specific position alone or mixing it with fillers or carriers. The fillers or carriers may be any of those conventionally used in this field as long as they are pharmaceutically acceptable. The type and composition of such pharmaceutical preparations are altered appropriately according to the route and method of administration. For example, water is used as a liquid carrier. As solid carriers, cellulose derivatives such as hydroxypropyl cellulose and organic acid salts such as magnesium stearate are used. Water, physiological saline and various buffer solutions are generally desirable in the preparation of injections. Such preparations may be lyophilized for use as oral agents, or the lyophilized preparations may be dissolved in suitable injection solvents e.g. liquids for intravenous administration (such as sterilized water, physiological saline, electrolyte, etc.) just before use. The content of the labelled compound in the pharmaceutical preparation varies according to the type of the preparation, and is usually in the range of 1 to 100% by weight, preferably 50 to 100% by weight. In the case of injections, for example, the labelled compound is added usually in an amount of 1 to 40% by weight. In the case of capsules, tablets, granules and powder, the content of the labelled compound is in the range from about 10 to 100% by weight, preferably 50 to 100% by weight, with the remainder being carriers. The diagnostic agent of the invention for liver function should be administered at such a dosage that enables the confirmation of an increase of 13 CO 2 in an exhalation after administration of the diagnostic agent. Depending on the age and weight of the patient and the object of the test, the dosage for each administration ranges from 1 to 1000 mg/kg body weight in the case of an adult. The diagnostic agent of the invention for liver function can be used for diagnosis of hepatic diseases or disorders such as cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, acute hepatitis, hepatic cancer, etc. and for evaluation of liver function before and after a surgical operation of a liver. A diagnostic agent prepared in accordance with the present invention imposes less physical burden on a subject, can give accurate test results immediately, and can be used safely without side effects. The diagnostic agent is useful for evaluating the liver function at the test time. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Hereinbelow, the present invention will be described more specifically below with reference to the following Examples. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these Examples. The 13 C purity at the position of labelling in each of the compounds used in the present invention is 99% or more. Unless otherwise indicated, all the reagents used were guaranteed reagents. EXAMPLE 1 Method of Breath Test (1) Preparation of rats with acute hepatitis As test animals, male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were purchased from Nippon Charles River K.K. They were bred at 23±2 °C under 55 ±10% humidity before use. These rats (7-10 week-old) were anesthetized by intraperitoneal administration of Nembutal (50 mg/kg) and then intraperitoneally administered galactosamine hydrochloride (200 mg/ml physiological saline) at a dose of 0.6-1.2 g/kg [Koff, S. et al., Proc. Soc. Exptl. Med. 137:696 (1971); Keppler, D. et al., Exp. Mol. Pathology, 9:279 (1968); Creation of Model Animals (by Disease) and Experimental Methods for Development of New Drugs, supervised by Masaharu Uchitaka, p. 126 (1993)]. Two days thereafter, blood was collected from the tail vein, and serum was separated from the blood. Glutamic pyruvic transaminase activity (GPT) and the total amount of bilirubin in the serum were measured using Fuji Drychem FDC5500. (2) 13 C breath test A breath test was carried out as described below on the rats with acute hepatitis prepared in (1) above and healthy rats. The method described in (2)-2 below was used for labelled starch and labelled cystine, and the method described in (2)-1 was used for the other compounds. (2)-1 Intravenous administration Rats fasted overnight were anesthetized by intraperitoneal administration of Nembutal (50 mg/kg) and fixed on an operation table. The head was covered with a cap for sucking the exhalation. A specific amount of the labelled compound was administered from the femoral vein. The exhalation was sucked with a stroke pump (variable stroke pump VS-500; Shibata Scientific Technology) at a rate of 100 ml/min and introduced directly into a flow cell in 13 CO 2 Analyzer EX-130S (Japan Spectroscopic Co., Ltd.). A Perma Pure Drier (MD-050-12P; Perma Pure Inc.) was located between the cap and the stroke pump to remove moisture in the exhalation (Fig. 1). The data output from the 13 CO 2 analyzer were incorporated into a personal computer (Apple Power Macintosh 8500) after AD conversion. Using the data processing software Lab VIEW (National Instruments), data on 10 points at every 100 msec were added up and averaged at intervals of 5 sec and then converted into 13 C atom %, Δ 13 C (%o) and CO 2 gas concentration (%), to thereby perform a continuous measurement 13 C breath test. The converted data were displayed on the screen in real time and then stored in the hard disk. During the measurement, the rectum temperature in the rat was monitored and maintained at 37±0.5 °C using a body temperature controller for small animals (TR-100; Fine Science Tools Inc.). The CO 2 gas concentration in the sucked exhalation was maintained at 3±0.5%. Δ 13 C (%o) was calculated from the 13 C level in exhaled CO 2 at each time point ( 13 C t min) and the 13 C level in standard CO 2 gas ( 13 C std) using the following formula: Δ 13 C (‰) = (( 13 C t min - 13 C 0 min)/ 13 C std] x 1000 (2)-2 Oral administration Rats fasted overnight were fixed individually in a rat holder of a microwave irradiation apparatus without anesthesia. The exhalation was sucked with a stroke pump (variable stroke pump VS-500; Shibata Scientific Technology) at a rate of 100-300 ml/min and introduced directly into a flow cell in 13 CO 2 Analyzer EX-130S (Japan Spectroscopic Co., Ltd.). A Perma Pure Drier (MD-050-12P; Perma Pure Inc.) was located between the rat holder and the stroke pump to remove moisture in the exhalation. When the CO 2 gas concentration was stabilized, the rat was once released from the rat holder, and then a specific amount of the labelled compound was administered into its stomach with a sound for oral administration. The data output from the 13 CO 2 analyzer were incorporated into a personal computer (Apple Power Macintosh 8500) after AD conversion. Using the data processing software Lab VIEW (National Instruments), data on 10 points at every 100 msec were added up and averaged at intervals of 5 sec and then converted into 13 C atom %, Δ 13 C (%o) and CO 2 gas concentration (%), to thereby perform a continuous measurement 13 C breath test. The converted data were displayed on the screen in real time and then stored in the hard disk. Δ 13 C (%o) was calculated by the formula described above. EXAMPLE 2 1- 13 C-Glucose Breath Test 1- 13 C-glucase (purchased from CIL) dissolved in physiological saline was administered to healthy rats (8-week-old; total bilirubin values ≦ 0.6 mg/dl; n=4) and rats with acute hepatitis (8-week-old; total bilirubin value > 3 mg/dl; n=4) from the femoral vein at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Then, degrees of increase of 13 C levels in exhaled CO 2 (Δ 13 C (‰)) were measured according to the method described in Example 1. Δ 13 C values (%o) continued increasing up to 20 min after the administration of 1- 13 C-glucose in both the healthy and the hepatitic rats (Fig. 3). The Δ 13 C value (%o) at 5 min after the administration was 48.90 ± 2.97%o in the hepatitic rats, while the value was 39.37± 4.02 %o in the healthy rats. Thus, the value in the hepatitic rats was significantly (p<0.05 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) higher than that in the healthy rats. The slope of increase of Δ 13 C values (%o) from 2 to 5 min after the administration was 33.89± 2.26%o/3 min in the hepatitic rats, while the slope was 23.97± 2.03%o/3 min in the healthy rats. Thus, the slope in the hepatitic rats was very significantly (p<0.01 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) greater than that in the healthy rats. Accordingly, it is possible to detect a liver function disorder from the Δ 13 C value (%o) at a specific time after administration of 1- 13 C-glucose or the slope of increase of Δ 13 C values (%o) after the administration. EXAMPLE 3 3- 13 C-Glucose Breath Test 3- 13 C-glucose (purchased from ICON) dissolved in physiological saline was administered to healthy rats (8-week-old; total bilirubin value ≦ 0.6 mg/dl; n=4) and rats with acute hepatitis (8-week-old; total bilirubin value ≧ 2.1 mg/dl; n=4) from the femoral vein at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Then, degrees of increase of 13 C levels in exhaled CO 2 (Δ 13 C (%o)) were measured according to the method described in Example 1. Δ 13 C values (%o) continued increasing up to 20 min after the administration of 3- 13 C-glucose in both the healthy and the hepatitic rats (Fig. 4). The Δ 13 C value (%o) at 5 min after the administration was 60.47 ± 5.02%o in the hepatitic rats, while the value was 46.09 ± 5.67 %o in the healthy rats. Thus, the value in the hepatitic rats was significantly (p<0.05 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) higher than that in the healthy rats. The slope of increase of Δ 13 C values (%o) from 2 to 5 min after the administration was 50.99± 3.66%o/3 min in the hepatitic rats, while the slope was 37.44± 4.31%o/3 min in the healthy rats. Thus, the slope in the hepatitic rats was very significantly (p<0.01 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) greater than that in the healthy rats. Accordingly, it is possible to detect a liver function disorder from the Δ 13 C value (%o) at a specific time after administration of 3- 13 C-glucose or the slope of increase of Δ 13 C values (%o) after the administration. EXAMPLE 4 U- 13 C-Starch Breath Test U- 13 C-starch (purchased from Chlorella Industry) dissolved in physiological saline was administered orally to healthy rats (8-week-old; total bilirubin value=0.4 mg/dl; n=4) and rats with acute hepatitis (8-week-old; total bilirubin value > 3 mg/dl; n=4) at a dose of 30 mg/kg. Then, degrees of increase of 13 C levels in exhaled CO 2 (Δ 13 C (%o)) were measured according to the method described in Example 1. Δ 13 C values (%o) continued increasing up to 20 min after the administration of U- 13 C-starch in both the healthy and the hepatitic rats (Fig. 5). The Δ 13 C value (%o) at 20 min after the administration was 116. 18± 27.12%o in the hepatitic rats, while the value was 175.61 ± 15.36 %o in the healthy rats. Thus, the value in the hepatitic rats was significantly (p<0.05 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) lower than that in the healthy rats. Accordingly, it is possible to detect a liver function disorder from the Δ 13 C value (%o) at a specific time after administration of U- 13 C-starch. EXAMPLE 5 1- 13 C-Arginine Breath Test 1- 13 C-arginine (purchased from ICON) dissolved in physiological saline was administered to healthy rats (8-week-old; total bilirubin value ≦ 0.5 mg/dl; n=4) and rats with acute hepatitis (8-week-old; total bilirubin value > 3 mg/dl; n=4) from the femoral vein at a dose of 50 mg/kg. Then, degrees of increase of 13 C levels in exhaled CO 2 (Δ 13 C (%o)) were measured according to the method described in Example 1. In the healthy rats, Δ 13 C value (%o) continued increasing up to about 10 min after administration of 1- 13 C-arginine. Thereafter, the value remained almost constant up to 20 min after the administration. On the other hand, in the hepatitic rats, Δ 13 C value (%o) continued increasing up to 20 min after the administration (Fig. 6). The Δ 13 C value (%o) at 10 min after the administration was 62.55 ± 4.93%o in the hepatitic rats, while the value was 145.69 ± 6.11 %o in the healthy rats. Thus, the value in the hepatitic rats was very significantly (p<0.0001 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) lower than that in the healthy rats. The slope of increase of Δ 13 C values (%o) from 4 to 9 min after the administration was 22.16 ± 2.64%o/5 min in the hepatitic rats, while the slope was 56.67 ± 4.22%o/5 min in the healthy rats. Thus, the slope in the hepatitic rats was very significantly (p<0.0001 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) smaller than that in the healthy rats. Accordingly, it is possible to detect a liver function disorder from the Δ 13 C value (%o) at a specific time after administration of 1- 13 C-arginine or the slope of increase of Δ 13 C values (%o) after the administration. EXAMPLE 6 1- 13 C-Histidine Breath Test 1- 13 C-histidine (purchased from ICON) dissolved in physiological saline was administered to healthy rats (8-week-old; total bilirubin value ≦ 0.5 mg/dl; n=4) and rats with acute hepatitis (8-week-old; total bilirubin value > 4 mg/dl; n=4) from the femoral vein at a dose of 30 mg/kg. Then, degrees of increase of 13 C levels in exhaled CO 2 (Δ 13 C (%o)) were measured according to the method described in Example 1. In the healthy rats, Δ 13 C value (%o) continued increasing up to about 17 min after administration of 1- 13 C-histidine. Thereafter, the value remained almost constant up to 20 min after the administration. On the other hand, in the hepatitic rats, Δ 13 C value (%o) continued increasing up to 20 min after the administration (Fig. 7). The Δ 13 C value (%o) at 15 min after the administration was 14.20± 4.57%o in the hepatitic rats, while the value was 90.01 ± 18.15%o in the healthy rats. Thus, the value in the hepatitic rats was very significantly (p<0.001 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) lower than that in the healthy rats. The slope of increase of Δ 13 C values (%o) from 5 to 10 min after the administration was 4.68± 1.47%o/5 min in the hepatitic rats, while the slope was 43.76 ± 10.84 %o/5 min in the healthy rats. Thus, the slope in the hepatitic rats was very significantly (p<0.001 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) smaller than that in the healthy rats. Accordingly, it is possible to detect a liver function disorder from the Δ 13 C value (%o) at a specific time after administration of 1- 13 C-histidine or the slope of increase of Δ 13 C values (%o) after the administration. EXAMPLE 7 1,2- 13 C-Ornithine Breath Test 1,2- 13 C-ornithine hydrochloride (purchased from ICON) dissolved in physiological saline was administered to healthy rats (8-week-old; total bilirubin value< 0.5 mg/dl; n=4) and rats with acute hepatitis (8-week-old; total bilirubin value ≧ 2.2 mg/dl; n=4) from the femoral vein at a dose of 20 mg/kg. Then, degrees of increase of 13 C levels in exhaled CO 2 (Δ 13 C (%o)) were measured according to the method described in Example 1. In the healthy rats, Δ 13 C value (%o) continued increasing up to about 20 min after administration of 1,2- 13 C-ornithine hydrochloride. On the other hand, in the hepatitic rats, Δ 13 C value (%o) sharply increased up to about 3 min after the administration, but thereafter increased gradually up to 20 min after the administration (Fig. 8). The Δ 13 C value (%o) at 15 min after the administration was 102. 00±3.42%o in the hepatitic rats, while the value was 137.37±10.79 %o in the healthy rats. Thus, the value in the hepatitic rats was very significantly (p<0.01 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) lower than that in the healthy rats. The slope of increase of Δ 13 C values (%o) from 4 to 9 min after the administration was 13.27± 4.77%o/5 min in the hepatitic rats, while the slope was 39.92± 3.91%o/5 min in the healthy rats. Thus, the slope in the hepatitic rats was very significantly (p<0.001 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) smaller than that in the healthy rats. Accordingly, it is possible to detect a liver function disorder from the Δ 13 C value (%o) at a specific time after administration of 1,2- 13 C-ornithine hydrochloride or the slope of increase of Δ 13 C values (%o) after the administration. EXAMPLE 8 1- 13 C-Valine Breath Test 1- 13 C-valine (purchased from mass Trace) dissolved in physiological saline was administered to healthy rats (8-week-old; total bilirubin value ≦ 0.6 mg/dl; n=4) and rats with acute hepatitis (8-week-old; total bilirubin value > 3.5 mg/dl; n=4) from the femoral vein at a dose of 20 mg/kg. Then, degrees of increase of 13 C levels in exhaled CO 2 (Δ 13 C (%o)) were measured according to the method described in Example 1. Δ 13 C values (%o) continued increasing up to 20 min after administration of 1- 13 C-valine in both the healthy and the hepatitic rats (Fig. 9). The Δ 13 C value (%o) at 8 min after the administration was 34.65 ± 6.08%o in the hepatitic rats, while the value was 54.4 ± 4.05%o in the healthy rats. Thus, the value in the hepatitic rats was very significantly (p<0.01 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) lower than that in the healthy rats. The slope of increase of Δ 13 C values (%o) from 15 to 20 min after the administration was 4.3 ± 1.38%o/5 min in the hepatitic rats, while the slope was -1.22± 1.85%o/5 min in the healthy rats. Thus, the slope in the hepatitic rats was very significantly (p<0.01 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) greater than that in the healthy rats. Accordingly, it is possible to detect a liver function disorder from the Δ 13 C value (%o) at a specific time after administration of 1- 13 C-valine or the slope of increase of 13 C values (%o) after the administration. EXAMPLE 9 1- 13 C-Lysine Breath Test 1- 13 C-lysine hydrochloride (purchased from mass Trace) dissolved in physiological saline was administered to healthy rats (7-week-old; total bilirubin value ≦ 0.7 mg/dl; n=4) and rats with acute hepatitis (7-week-old; total bilirubin value > 3.5 mg/dl; n=4) from the femoral vein at a dose of 50 mg/kg. Then, degrees of increase of 13 C levels in exhaled CO 2 (Δ 13 C (%o)) were measured according to the method described in Example 1. In the healthy rats, Δ 13 C value (%o) sharply increased up to about 10 min after administration of 1- 13 C-lysine hydrochloride, and then remained almost constant up to about 15 min. Thereafter, the value began to decrease gradually up to 20 min after the administration. On the other hand, in the hepatitic rats, Δ 13 C value (%o) continued increasing up to 20 min after the administration (Fig. 10). The Δ 13 C value (%o) at 10 min after the administration was 51.53 ± 34.60%o in the hepatitic rats, while the value was 138.29 ± 9.76%o in the healthy rats. Thus, the value in the hepatitic rats was very significantly (p<0.01 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) lower than that in the healthy rats. The slope of increase of Δ 13 C values (%o) from 3 to 8 min after the administration was 31.83± 21. 00%o /5 min in the hepatitic rats, while the slope was 86. 41± 9.63%o/5 min in the healthy rats. Thus, the slope in the hepatitic rats was very significantly (p<0.01 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) smaller than that in the healthy rats. Accordingly, it is possible to detect a liver function disorder from the Δ 13 C value (%o) at a specific time after administration of 1- 13 C-lysine hydrochloride or the slope of increase of Δ 13 C values (%o) after the administration. EXAMPLE 10 1- 13 C-Serine Breath Test 1- 13 C-serine (purchased from ICON) dissolved in physiological saline was administered to healthy rats (8-week-old; total bilirubin value ≦ 0.6 mg/dl; n=4) and rats with acute hepatitis (8-week-old; total bilirubin value > 3 mg/dl; n=3) from the femoral vein at a dose of 50 mg/kg. Then, degrees of increase of 13 C levels in exhaled CO 2 (Δ 13 C (‰)) were measured according to the method described in Example 1. In the healthy rats, Δ 13 C value (%o) sharply increased up to about 8 min after administration of 1- 13 C-serine, and then remained almost constant up to about 15 min. Thereafter, the value began to decrease gradually up to 20 min after the administration. On the other hand, in the hepatitic rats, Δ 13 C value (%o) continued increasing up to 20 min after the administration (Fig. 11). The Δ 13 C value (%o) at 2 min after the administration was 9.92 ± 1.59%o in the hepatitic rats, while the value was 28.42± 5.43%o in the healthy rats. Thus, the value in the hepatitic rats was very significantly (p<0.01 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) lower than that in the healthy rats. The slope of increase of Δ 13 C values (%o) from 10 to 20 min after the administration was 20.68± 4.86%o/10 min in the hepatitic rats, while the slope was -8.81±4.16%o/10 min in the healthy rats. Thus, the slope in the hepatitic rats was very significantly (p<0.001 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) greater than that in the healthy rats. Accordingly, it is possible to detect a liver function disorder from the Δ 13 C value (%o) at a specific time after administration of 1- 13 C-serine or the slope of increase of Δ 13 C values (%o) after the administration. EXAMPLE 11 1- 13 C-Threonine Breath Test 1- 13 C-threonine (purchased from mass Trace) dissolved in physiological saline was administered to healthy rats (7-week-old; total bilirubin value ≦ 0.6 mg/dl; n=4) and rats with acute hepatitis (7-week-old; total bilirubin value > 3 mg/dl; n=4) from the femoral vein at a dose of 50 mg/kg. Then, degrees of increase of 13 C levels in exhaled CO 2 (Δ 13 C (%o)) were measured according to the method described in Example 1. In the healthy rats, Δ 13 C value (%o) sharply increased up to about 8 min after administration of 1- 13 C-threonine, but remained almost constant thereafter up to 20 min. On the other hand, in the hepatitic rats, Δ 13 C value (%o) continued increasing up to 20 min after the administration (Fig. 12). The Δ 13 C value (%o) at 8 min after the administration was 20.56± 9.62%o in the hepatitic rats, while the value was 92.92± 36.36%o in the healthy rats. Thus, the value in the hepatitic rats was significantly (p<0.05 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) lower than that in the healthy rats. The slope of increase of Δ 13 C values (%o) from 10 to 20 min after the administration was 14.65± 4.11%o/10 min in the hepatitic rats, while the slope was 0.01 ± 5.79%o/10 min in the healthy rats. Thus, the slope in the hepatitic rats was significantly (p<0.05 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) greater than that in the healthy rats. Accordingly, it is possible to detect a liver function disorder from the Δ 13 C value (%o) at a specific time after administration of 1- 13 C-threonine or the slope of increase of Δ 13 C values (%o) after the administration. EXAMPLE 12 1- 13 C-Cysteine Breath Test 1- 13 C-cysteine (purchased from ICON) dissolved in physiological saline was administered to healthy rats (8-week-old; total bilirubin value ≦ 0.5 mg/dl; n=4) and rats with acute hepatitis (8-week-old; total bilirubin value ≦ 2.1 mg/dl; n=2) from the femoral vein at a dose of 20 mg/kg. Then, degrees of increase of 13 C levels in exhaled CO 2 (Δ 13 C (‰)) were measured according to the method described in Example 1. In the healthy rats, Δ 13 C value (%o) sharply increased up to about 4 min after administration of 1- 13 C-cysteine, but gradually decreased thereafter up to 20 min. On the other hand, in the hepatitic rats, Δ 13 C value (%o) increased up to about 7 min after the administration, but gradually decreased thereafter up to 20 min (Fig. 13). The Δ 13 C value (%o) at 2 min after the administration was 30.11%o in the hepatitic rats, while the value was 71.93 ± 13.52%o in the healthy rats. Thus, the value in the hepatitic rats was significantly (p<0.05 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) lower than that in the healthy rats. Accordingly, it is possible to detect a liver function disorder from the Δ 13 C value (%o) at a specific time after administration of 1- 13 C-cysteine EXAMPLE 13 1- 13 C-Glutamic Acid Breath Test 1- 13 C-glutamic acid (purchased from mass Trace) dissolved in physiological saline was administered to healthy rats (8-week-old; total bilirubin value ≦ 0.6 mg/dl; n=2) and rats with acute hepatitis (8-week-old; total bilirubin value > 4 mg/dl; n=4) from the femoral vein at a dose of 10 mg/kg. Then, degrees of increase of 13 C levels in exhaled CO 2 (Δ 13 C (‰)) were measured according to the method described in Example 1. Δ 13 C values (%o) sharply increased up to about 4 min after administration of 1- 13 C-glutamic acid in both the healthy and the hepatitic rats, but gradually decreased thereafter up to 20 min (Fig. 14). The Δ 13 C value (%o) at 3 min after the administration was 175.98 ± 20-94%o in the hepatitic rats, while the value was 236.10%o in the healthy rats. Thus, the value in the hepatitic rats was significantly (p<0.05 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) lower than that in the healthy rats. Accordingly, it is possible to detect a liver function disorder from the Δ 13 C value (%o) at a specific time after administration of 1- 13 C-glutamic acid. EXAMPLE 14 1- 13 C-Proline Breath Test 1- 13 C-proline (purchased from mass Trace) dissolved in physiological saline was administered to healthy rats (8-week-old; total bilirubin value< 0.5 mg/dl; n=4) and rats with acute hepatitis (8-week-old; total bilirubin value ≧ 1.5 mg/dl; n=4) from the femoral vein at a dose of 20 mg/kg. Then, degrees of increase of 13 C levels in exhaled CO 2 (Δ 13 C (‰)) were measured according to the method described in Example 1. In the healthy rats, Δ 13 C value ( %o) increased up to about 9 min after administration of 1- 13 C-proline, but decreased gradually thereafter up to 20 min. On the other hand, in the hepatitic rats, Δ 13 C value (%o) continued increasing up to 20 min after the administration (Fig. 15). The slope of increase of Δ 13 C values (%o) from 15 to 20 min after the administration was -0.25±2.93%o/5 min in the hepatitic rats, while the slope was -8.91±1.18%o/5 min in the healthy rats. Thus, the slope in the hepatitic rats was very significantly (p<0.01 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) greater than that in the healthy rats. Accordingly, it is possible to detect a liver function disorder from the slope of increase of Δ 13 C values (%o) after administration of 1- 13 C-proline. EXAMPLE 15 1- 13 C-Tryptophan Breath Test 1- 13 C-tryptophan (purchased from mass Trace) dissolved in physiological saline was administered to healthy rats (9-week-old; total bilirubin value< 0.5 mg/dl; n=4) and rats with acute hepatitis (9-week-old; total bilirubin value ≧ 4 mg/dl; n=4) from the femoral vein at a dose of 10 mg/kg. Then, degrees of increase of 13 C levels in exhaled CO 2 (Δ 13 C (%o)) were measured according to the method described in Example 1. The Δ 13 C value (%o) at 5 min after administration of 1- 13 C-tryptophan was 1.49± 0.51%o in the hepatitic rats, while the value was 4.78± 2.04%o in the healthy rats. Thus, the value in the hepatitic rats was significantly (p<0.05 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) than that in the healthy rats. Accordingly, it is possible to detect a liver function disorder from the Δ 13 C value (%o) at a specific time after administration of 1- 13 C-tryptophan. EXAMPLE 16 1- 13 C-Isoleucine Breath Test 1- 13 C-isoleucine (purchased from mass Trace) dissolved in physiological saline was administered to healthy rats (8-week-old; total bilirubin value ≦ 0.5 mg/dl; n=4) and rats with acute hepatitis (8-week-old; total bilirubin value > 4 mg/dl; n=4) from the femoral vein at a dose of 20 mg/kg. Then, degrees of increase of 13 C levels in exhaled CO 2 (Δ 13 C (%o)) were measured according to the method described in Example 1. The slope of increase of Δ 13 C values (%o) from 10 to 20 min after the administration was 27.99± 2.70%o /10 min in the hepatitic rats, while the slope was 11.28±3.44%o/10 min in the healthy rats. Thus, the slope in the hepatitic rats was very significantly (p<0.001 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) greater than that in the healthy rats. Accordingly, it is possible to detect a liver function disorder from the slope of increase of Δ 13 C values (%o) after administration of 1- 13 C-isoleucine. EXAMPLE 17 1,1- 13 C-Cystine Breath Test 1,1- 13 C-cystine (purchased from mass Trace) suspended in 0.5% aqueous solution of sodium carboxymethylcellulose was administered orally to healthy rats (9-week-old; total bilirubin value ≦ 0.6 mg/dl; n=4) and rats with acute hepatitis (9-week-old; total bilirubin value > 4.5 mg/dl; n=4) at a dose of 45 mg/kg. Then, degrees of increase of 13 C levels in exhaled CO 2 (Δ 13 C (%o)) were measured according to the method described in Example 1. Δ 13 C values (%o) continued increasing up to 30 min after administration of 1,1- 13 C-cystine in both the healthy and the hepatitic rats (Fig. 16). The Δ 13 C value (%o) at 30 min after the administration was 58.36± 13.51%o in the hepatitic rats, while the value was 146.48 ± 19, 34%o in the healthy rats. Thus, the value in the hepatitic rats was very significantly (p<0.001 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) lower than that in the healthy rats. The slope of increase of Δ 13 C values (%o) from 5 to 10 min after the administration was 10.93 ± 3.83%o/5 min in the hepatitic rats, while the slope was 38.11 ± 9.58%o/5 min in the healthy rats. Thus, the slope in the hepatitis rats was very significantly (p<0.01 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) smaller than that in the healthy rats. Accordingly, it is possible to detect a liver function disorder from the Δ 13 C value (%o) at a specific time after administration of 1,1- 13 C-cystine or the slope of increase of 13 C values ( %o) after the administration. EXAMPLE 18 1- 13 C-Aspartic Acid Breath Test 1- 13 C-aspartic acid (purchased from mass Trace) dissolved in physiological saline was administered to healthy rats (8-week-old; total bilirubin valuer ≦ 0.4 mg/dl; n=4) and rats with acute hepatitis (8-week-old; total bilirubin value ≧ 2.8 mg/dl; n=4) from the femoral vein at a dose of 10 mg/kg. Then, degrees of increase of 13 C levels in exhaled CO 2 (Δ 13 C (%o)) were measured according to the method described in Example 1. The Δ 13 C value (%o) at 2 min after the administration was 139.25 ± 2.53%o in the hepatitic rats, while the value was 158.35 ± 8.54 %o in the healthy rats. Thus, the value in the hepatitic rats was very significantly (p<0.01 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) lower than that in the healthy rats. Accordingly, it is possible to detect a liver function disorder from the Δ 13 C value (%o) at a specific time after administration of 1- 13 C-aspartic acid. EXAMPLE 19 1- 13 C-Lactic Acid Breath Test 1- 13 C-sodium lactate (purchased from mass Trace) dissolved in physiological saline was administered to healthy rats (8-week-old; total bilirubin value ≦ 0.6 mg/dl; n=4) and rats with acute hepatitis (8-week-old; total bilirubin value > 3.5 mg/dl; n=4) from the femoral vein at a dose of 10 mg/kg. Then, degrees of increase of 13 C levels in exhaled CO 2 (Δ 13 C (‰)) were measured according to the method described in Example 1. In the healthy rats, Δ 13 C value (%o) sharply increased up to about 2 min after administration of 1- 13 C-sodium lactate, but thereafter decreased gradually up to 20 min. On the other hand, in the hepatitic rats, Δ 13 C value (%o) increased up to about 4 min after the administration, but thereafter decreased gradually up to 20 min (Fig. 17). The Δ 13 C value (%o) at 2 min after the administration was 76.07 ± 5.56%o in the hepatitic rats, while the value was 251.21 ± 26.15%o in the healthy rats. Thus, the value in the hepatitic rats was very significantly (p<0.0001 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) lower than that in the healthy rats. The slope of increase of Δ 13 C values (%o) from 1 to 2 min after the administration was 43.41 ± 4.15%o/min in the hepatitic rats, while the slope was 171.16 ± 22.39%o/min in the healthy rats. Thus, the slope in the hepatitic rats was very significantly (p<0.0001 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) smaller than that in the healthy rats. Accordingly, it is possible to detect a liver function disorder from the Δ 13 C value (%o) at a specific time after administration of 1- 13 C-sodium lactate or the slope of increase of Δ 13 C values (%o) after the administration. EXAMPLE 20 3- 13 C-Lactic Acid Breath Test 3- 13 C-sodium lactate (purchased from mass Trace) dissolved in physiological saline was administered to healthy rats (10-week-old; total bilirubin value= 0.3 mg/dl; n=3) and rats with acute hepatitis (10-week-old; total bilirubin value ≧ 2.5 mg/dl; n=6) from the femoral vein at a dose of 50 mg/kg. Then, degrees of increase of 13 C levels in exhaled CO 2 (Δ 13 C (%o)) were measured according to the method described in Example 1. In the healthy rats, Δ 13 C value (%o) sharply increased up to about 8 min after administration of 3- 13 C-sodium lactate, but thereafter remained almost constant up to 20 min. On the other hand, in the hepatitic rats, Δ 13 C value (%o) continued increasing up to 20 min after the administration (Fig. 18). The Δ 13 C value (%o) at 5 min after the administration was 55.42 ± 10.84%o in the hepatitic rats, while the value was 124.48 ± 27. 01%o in the healthy rats. Thus, the value in the hepatitic rats was very significantly (p<0.01 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) lower than that in the healthy rats. The slope of increase of Δ 13 C values (%o) from 10 to 15 min after the administration was 19.15±9.20%o/5 min in the hepatitic rats, while the slope was 0.81±5.16%o/5 min in the healthy rats. Thus, the slope in the hepatitic rats was significantly (p<0.05 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) greater than that in the healthy rats. Accordingly, it is possible to detect a liver function disorder from the Δ 13 C value (%o) at a specific time after administration of 3- 13 C-sodium lactate or the slope of increase of Δ 13 C values (%o) after the administration. EXAMPLE 21 1- 13 C-Pyruvic Acid Breath Test 1- 13 C-sodium pyruvate (purchased from ICON) dissolved in physiological saline was administered to healthy rats (8-week-old; total bilirubin valuer ≦ 0.5 mg/dl; n=4) and rats with acute hepatitis (8-week-old; total bilirubin value> 3 mg/dl; n=4) from the femoral vein at a dose of 20 mg/kg. Then, degrees of increase of 13 C levels in exhaled CO 2 (Δ 13 C (%o)) were measured according to the method described in Example 1. In the healthy rats, Δ 13 C value (%o) sharply increased up to about 4 min after administration of 1- 13 C-sodium pyruvate, but thereafter decreased gradually up to 14 min. On the other hand, in the hepatitic rats, Δ 13 C value (%o) sharply increased up to about 5 min after the administration, but thereafter decreased gradually up to 14 min (Fig. 19). The Δ 13 C value (%o) at 4 min after the administration was 234.23 ± 33.66%o in the hepatitic rats, while the value was 319.45 ± 21. 16%o in the healthy rats. Thus, the value in the hepatitic rats was very significantly (p<0.01 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) lower than that in the healthy rats. Accordingly, it is possible to detect a liver function disorder from the Δ 13 C value (%o) at a specific time after administration of 1- 13 C-sodium pyruvate. EXAMPLE 22 3- 13 C-Pyruvic Acid Breath Test 3- 13 C-sodium pyruvate (purchased from ICON) dissolved in physiological saline was administered orally to healthy rats (8-week-old; total bilirubin value < 0.5 mg/dl; n=4) and rats with acute hepatitis (8-week-old; total bilirubin value> 3.5 mg/dl; n=4) at a dose of 20 mg/kg. Then, degrees of increase of 13 C levels in exhaled CO 3 (Δ 13 C (%o)) were measured according to the method described in Example 1. In the healthy rats, Δ 13 C value (%o) sharply increased up to about 7 min after administration of 3- 13 C-sodium pyruvate, but thereafter remained almost constant up to 20 min. On the other hand, in the hepatitic rats, Δ 13 C value (%o) sharply increased up to about 6 min after the administration, but thereafter increased gradually up to 20 min (Fig. 20). The Δ 13 C value (%o) at 7 min after the administration was 160.20± 26.27%o. in the hepatitic rats, while the value was 226.58± 26. 56%o in the healthy rats. Thus, the value in the hepatitic rats was significantly (p<0.05 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) lower than that in the healthy rats. The slope of increase of Δ 13 C values (%o) from 10 to 20 min after the administration was 26.35±3.06%o/10 min in the hepatitic rats, while the slope was -0.28± 7.50%o /10 min in the healthy rats. Thus, the slope in the hepatitic rats was very significantly (p<0.01 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) greater than that in the healthy rats. Accordingly, it is possible to detect a liver function disorder from the Δ 13 C value (%o) at a specific time after administration of 3- 13 C-sodium pyruvate or the slope of increase of Δ 13 C values (%o) after the administration. Examples 23 1,4- 13 C-Succinic Acid Breath Test 1,4- 13 C-succinic acid (purchased from ICON) dissolved in physiological saline was administered to healthy rats (10-week-old; total bilirubin value ≦ 0.5 mg/dl; n=3) and rats with acute hepatitis (10-week-old; total bilirubin value> 4 mg/dl; n=4) from the femoral vein at a dose of 4 mg/kg. Then, degrees of increase of 13 C levels in exhaled CO 2 (Δ 13 C (%o) were measured according to the method described in Example 1. Δ 13 C values (%o) sharply increased up to 3 min after administration of 1,4- 13 C-succinic acid in both the healthy and the hepatitic rats, but gradually decreased thereafter up to 20 min (Fig. 21). The Δ 13 C value (%o) at 7 min after the administration was 211.88±10.19%o in the hepatitic rats, while the value was 236.60 ± 5.93%o in the healthy rats. Thus, the value in the hepatitic rats was significantly (p<0.05 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) lower than that in the healthy rats. Accordingly, it is possible to detect a liver function disorder from the Δ 13 C value (%o) at a specific time after administration of 1,4- 13 C-succinic acid. EXAMPLE 24 1,6- 13 C-Citric Acid Breath Test 1,6- 13 C-citric acid (purchased from ICON) dissolved in physiological saline was administered to healthy rats (8-week-old; total bilirubin value ≦ 0.6 mg/dl; n=4) and rats with acute hepatitis (8-week-old; total bilirubin value > 3 mg/dl; n=4) from the femoral vein at a dose of 5 mg/kg. Then, degrees of increase of 13 C levels in exhaled CO 2 (Δ 13 C (%o)) were measured according to the method described in Example 1. The Δ 13 C value (%o) at 15 min after administration of 1,6- 13 C-citric acid was 66.70 ± 1.10%o in the hepatitic rats, while the value was 74.54± 1.53%o in the healthy rats. Thus, the value in the hepatitic rats was very significantly (p<0.001 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) lower than that in the healthy rats. Accordingly, it is possible to detect a liver function disorder from the Δ 13 C value (%o) at a specific time after administration of 1,6- 13 C-citric acid. EXAMPLE 25 2- 13 C-Glycerol Breath Test 2- 13 C-glycerol (purchased from CIL) dissolved in physiological saline was administered to healthy rats (total bilirubin values ≦ 0.5 mg/dl; n=4) and rats with acute hepatitis (total bilirubin value > 3.5 mg/dl; n=4) from the femoral vein at a dose of 50 mg/kg. Then, degrees of increase of 13 C levels in exhaled CO 2 (Δ 13 C (%o) were measured according to the method described in Example 1. Δ 13 C value (%o) continued increasing up to 20 min after administration of 2- 13 C-glycerol in both the healthy and the hepatitic rats (Fig. 25). The Δ 13 C value (%o) at 20 min after the administration was 78.69± 15.82%o in the hepatitic rats, while the value was 53.35± 3.3%o in the healthy rats. Thus, the value in the hepatitic rats was significantly (p<0.05 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) higher than that in the healthy rats. The slope of increase of Δ 13 C values (%o) from 10 to 20 min after the administration was 39.51 ± 5.06%o/10 min in the hepatitic rats, while the slope was 24.06±2.13%o/10 min in the healthy rats. Thus, the slope in the hepatitic rats was very significantly (p<0.01 (ANOVA with Fischer LSD)) greater than that in the healthy rats. Accordingly, it is possible to detect a liver function disorder from the Δ 13 C value (%o) at a specific time after administration of 2- 13 C-glycerol or the slope of increase of Δ 13 C values (%o) after the administration. FORMULATION EXAMPLE 1 (Injection) 10 parts by weight of 1- 13 C-galactose was dissolved in 90 parts by weight of physiological saline and sterilized by filtration with a Millipore filter. The filtrate was put into a vial and sealed to give an injection. FORMULATION EXAMPLE 2 (Internal Liquid Agent) 10 parts by weight of 1- 13 C-glucose was dissolved in 90 parts by weight of distilled and de-ionized water (DDW) and sterilized by filtration with a Millipore filter. The filtrate was put into a vial and sealed to give an internal liquid agent. FORMULATION EXAMPLE 3 (Injection) 10 parts by weight of 1- 13 C-arginine was dissolved in 90 parts by weight of physiological saline and sterilized by filtration with a Millipore filter. The filtrate was put into a vial and sealed to give an injection. FORMULATION EXAMPLE 4 (Internal Liquid Agent) 10 parts by weight of 1- 13 C-histidine was dissolved in 90 parts by weight of DDW and sterilized by filtration with a Millipore filter. The filtrate was put into a vial and sealed to give an internal liquid agent. FORMULATION EXAMPLE 5 (Injection) 10 parts by weight of 1- 13 C-sodium lactate was dissolved in 90 parts by weight of physiological saline and sterilized by filtration with a Millipore filter. The filtrate was put into a vial and sealed to give an injection. FORMULATION EXAMPLE 6 (Internal Liquid Agent) 10 parts by weight of 1- 13 C-sodium pyruvate was dissolved in 90 parts by weight of DDW and sterilized by filtration with a Millipore filter. The filtrate was put into a vial and sealed to give an internal liquid agent. FORMULATION EXAMPLE 7 (Injection) 10 parts by weight of 2- 13 C-glycerol was dissolved in 90 parts by weight of physiological saline and sterilized by filtration with a Millipore filter. The filtrate was put into a vial and sealed to give an injection. FORMULATION EXAMPLE 8 (Internal Liquid Agent) 10 parts by weight of 2- 13 C-glycerol was dissolved in 90 parts by weight of DDW and sterilized by filtration with a Millipore filter. The filtrate was put into a vial and sealed to give an internal liquid agent.

Claims: Use of a compound in the manufacture of a composition for the diagnosis by 13 CO 2 breath test of liver function, the compound being labelled with 13 C at least at one position, and wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of the following (a) to (d): glucose or xylose labelled with 13 C at least at one position or a starch composed of glucose units labelled with 13 C at least at one position; (b) a polar amino acid, wherein the polar amino acid is arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, glutamine, glutamic acid, cysteine, cystine, glycine, lysine, serine, threonine or ornithine a heterocyclic amino acid, isoleucine or valine labelled with 13 C at least at one position; (c) a carboxylic acid constituting the glycolytic pathway or the citric acid cycle, labelled with 13 C at least at one position; (d) glycerol labelled with 13 C at least at one position. A use according to claim 1, wherein the heterocyclic amino acid is tryptophan, proline or histidine. A use according to claim 1, wherein the carboxylic acid constituting the glycolytic pathway or the citric acid cycle is pyruvic acid, lactic acid, succinic acid or citric acid.

Inventors: ASUKA ITO, ISABURO HOSOI, JUNKO OHSHIMA, KUNIHIKO SHIBATA, TADASHI KOHNO, ASUKA, ITO, ISABURO, HOSOI, JUNKO, OHSHIMA, KUNIHIKO, SHIBATA, TADASHI, KOHNO
Applicants: TOKYO GAS CO LTD, TOKYO GAS CO., LTD.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: A61K51
IPC codes: A61K51