A study also from the eLISTER group (Edinburgh liver injury in surgery and transplantation experimental research) about the effect of major liver resection on innate immunity to bacterial endotoxin was approved by Lothian research Ethics Committee LREC/2002/1/31. This trial was performed between May 2003 and 2005. This study looked at the adaptive response of the reticuloendothelial system to major liver resection. We found a strong correlation between clearance of albumin microspheres and ICG (indocyanine green clearance), supporting the assertion that hepatocellular function and RES phagocytosis are related if only in terms of liver volume. We also demonstrated marked defects in RES phagocytosis in patients with chronic liver disease or normal liver function, who had undergone a major liver resection.