Tracers for metabolic imaging of brain and heart. Radiochemistry and radiopharmacology

Imaging in cell-based therapy for neurodegenerative diseases

Fetal cell transplantation for the treatment of Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases has been developed over the past two decades and is now in early clinical testing phase. Direct assessment of the graft's survival, integration into the host brain and impact on neuronal functions requires advanced in vivo neuroimaging techniques. Owing to its high sensitivity, positron emission tomography is today the most widely used tool to evaluate the viability and function of the transplanted tissue in the brain. Nuclear magnetic resonance techniques are opening new possibilities for imaging neurochemical events in the brain. The ultimate goal will be to use the combination of multiple imaging modalities for complete functional monitoring of the repair processes in the central nervous system.

Estimates of regional cerebral blood flow and 5-HT2A receptor density in impulsive, aggressive dogs with 99mTc-ECD and 123I-5-I-R91150

Impulsive aggression in dogs has an important impact on human public health. Better insight into the pathophysiology of this phenomenon could lead to more adequate diagnosis and treatment. Indirect in vivo research on peripheral body fluids and post-mortem studies in impulsive animals and humans indicate a deficient serotonergic system in general and disturbances in the serotonin-2A (5-HT2A) receptor in particular. In this study, brain perfusion and the 5-HT2A receptors were examined in impulsive, aggressive dogs, in comparison with a group of normally behaving animals. In order to decide which dogs to include in this study, owners were asked to describe the general behaviour of the dogs, the circumstances in which aggression occurred and their conduct during aggressive acts. Finally, 19 dogs were retained for this study, showing, according to different behavioural specialists, disinhibited dominance aggression. Functional imaging studies were performed on all these dogs. Single-photon emission tomography (SPET) was used to measure regional brain perfusion using technetium-99m labelled ethyl cysteinate dimer (ECD). The 5-HT2A receptor binding properties were investigated using the selective radioligand iodine-123 labelled 5-I-R91150. A significant increase in uptake of the 5-HT2A radioligand was noted in all cortical areas. No significant alterations were found in regional cortical perfusion, indicating that the increased binding index was not a consequence of increased tracer delivery. This study supports a role for the serotonergic system in canine impulsive aggression.

Synthesis and preliminary biological characterization of a new potential (125)I-radioligand for dopamine and serotonin receptors

The synthesis and a preliminary biological characterization of a new class of N-benzyl-aminoalcohols which have serotonin (5-HT(2)) and dopamine (D(2)) receptor affinity is described. In vitro competition binding studies were conducted with the new molecules and (3)H-spiperone on crude membrane preparation from rat striatum and frontal cortex. One of these compounds, 3-benzylamino-1-(4-fluoro-2-iodophenyl)-propan-1-ol (6f), whose IC(50) values are in the micromolar range for both the D(2) and 5-HT(2) receptors, was prepared in iodine-125 labelled form (6i) by nucleophilic substitution of the bromine atom of 3-benzylamino-1-(2-bromo-4-fluorophenyl)-propan-1-ol (6d). In the in vivo studies, conducted on rats, the radiolabelled molecule 6i shows a good capacity to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) with a mean value of first pass cerebral extraction (E) of ca. 50% when the regional cerebral blood flow, measured with microsphere technique, is in the experimental animal's physiologic range (0.8-1 mL/min/g). A preliminary in vitro autoradiographic distribution on coronal rat brain slices of the radioiodinated molecule showed that it was preferentially localized in the striatum and in the cerebral regions rich in dopamine- and serotonin receptors, even if a high non-specific binding was observed.

123I-MSP and F[11C]MSP: new selective 5-HT2A receptor radiopharmaceuticals for in vivo studies of neuronal 5-HT2 serotonin receptors. Synthesis, in vitro binding study with unlabelled analogues and preliminary in vivo evaluation in mice

In vitro binding study on bovine brain membranes using [3H]SCH23390, [3H]spiperone, [3H]prazosin and [3H]RP62203 as radioligands (for D1, D2, alpha1 and 5-HT2A receptors respectively) indicate that the new butyrophenones 8-[3-(4-fluorobenzoyl)propyl]-1-methyl-1,3,8-triazaspiro[4,5]de can-4-one (FMSP) and 8-[3-(4-iodobenzoyl)propyl]-1-methyl-1,3,8-triazaspiro[4,5]deca n-4-one (IMSP) exhibit a significantly higher selectivity for the 5-HT2A over D1, D2 and alpha1 receptors. Consequently, the radiolabelled analogues F[11C]MSP and 123I-MSP were prepared in attempt to obtain potential radiopharmaceuticals for in vivo imaging of neuronal 5-HT2A receptors with positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission tomography (SPET). F[11C]MSP was synthesized by reaction of [11C]CH3I with 8-[3-(4-fluorobenzoyl)propyl]-1,3,8-triazaspiro[4,5]decan-4- one (DMSP) in 12 +/- 3% radiochemical yield, whereas 123I-MSP was obtained in 82 +/- 8% radiochemical yield by a no-carrier-added Cu(I)-assisted [123I]iododebromination of 8-[3-(4-bromo-benzoyl)propyl]-1-methyl-1,3,8-triazaspiro[4,5]de can-4-ene (BrMSP). In vivo pharmacokinetic and brain binding characterization of 123I-MSP assessed in mice following intravenous injection, showed a fast clearance of 123I-MSP from blood and relatively high initial uptakes in the liver, kidneys and in the lung. Significant uptake and long retention were observed in the brain (up to 1.64% i.d., 60 min p.i.), with a regional accumulation of radioactivity consistent with the reported 5-HT2A receptors distribution in the brain. Frontal cortex to cerebellum ratio of 3.5 was calculated at 60 min p.i. Furthermore, the initial brain uptake was significantly reduced after pretreatment of the animals with ritanserin, a selective 5-HT2 antagonist, and by preinjection of the non-radiolabelled analog IMSP, thus indicating the specificity of the brain uptake. These data suggest that 123I-MSP may be a promising compound for studying the serotoninergic 5-HT2 receptors with SPET. Due to the low specific activity of F[11C]MSP currently obtained by the [11C]methylation reaction, systematic in vivo investigation of F[11C]MSP are as yet not feasable.

Fractal analysis--a new approach in brain receptor imaging

Improvements in detector technology and the development of radioligands for brain receptor imaging have introduced exiting new insights into the pathophysiology of various neuropsychiatric disorders and have improved the possibilities of optimizing the treatment for patients suffering from them. Positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission tomography (SPET) with tailored radiopharmaceuticals provide information on the topographic physiological chemistry of the living human brain. The different patterns of brain receptor densities and distribution can be imaged and modelled with PET and SPET. The normal receptor distribution in the brain is broadly heterogeneous with different cortical layers, which show receptor densities varying from very low to high. Further exploration of the data shows that human neurophysiology and neural architectures possess fractal properties that may be altered during activation and in different neuropsychiatric disorders. This review highlights recent findings in SPET receptor imaging and the use of fractal analysis in the interpretation of images representing various neuropsychiatric disorders.

Initial evaluation of 123I-5-I-R91150, a selective 5-HT2A ligand for single-photon emission tomography, in healthy human subjects

The mapping of 5-HT2 receptors in the brain using functional imaging techniques has been limited by a relative lack of selective radioligands. Iodine-123 labelled 4-amino-N-[1-[3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propyl]-4-methyl-4-piperidinyl]-5-io do-2-methoxybenzamide (123I-5-I-R91150 or 123I-R93274) is a new ligand for single-photon emission tomography (SPET), with high affinity and selectivity for 5-HT2A receptors. This study reports on preliminary 123I-5-I-R91150 SPET, whole-body and blood distribution findings in five healthy human volunteers. Maximal brain uptake was approximately 2% of total body counts at 180 min post injection (p.i. ). Dynamic SPET sequences were acquired with the brain-dedicated, single-slice multi-detector system SME-810 over 200 min p.i. Early peak uptake (at 5 min p.i.) was seen in the cerebellum, a region free from 5HT2A receptors. In contrast, radioligand binding in the frontal cortex increased steadily over time, up to a peak at approximately 100-120 min p.i. Frontal cortex-cerebellum activity ratios reached values of 1.4, and remained stable from approximately 100 min p.i. onwards. Multi-slice SPET sequences showed a pattern of regional variation of binding compatible with the autoradiographic data on the distribution of 5-HT2A receptors in humans (cerebral cortex>striatum>cerebellum). These findings suggest that 123I-5-I-R91150 may be used for the imaging of 5-HT2A receptors in the living human brain with SPET.

Perspectives on the role of serotonergic mechanisms in the pharmacology of schizophrenia

In recent years, a number of research findings has renewed interest in the possible role of serotonin (5-HT) in the pharmacology of schizophrenia. Atypical antipsychotics that potently block 5-HT receptors have been shown to be at least as effective as classical antipsychotics as well as producing fewer extrapyramidal side-effects. In addition, molecular biological studies have suggested that allelic variations of 5-HT receptor genes may affect both susceptibility to schizophrenia and clinical response to atypical antipsychotics. Building on these findings, this article proposes that 5-HT receptors are critical sites of antipsychotic action, and examines the implications of this to the treatment and pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Possible pharmacological mechanisms underlying the clinical efficacy of 5-HT blocking antipsychotics are discussed, and the potential of functional neuroimaging techniques to further elucidate these mechanisms is emphasized.

In vivo spin-label murine pharmacodynamics using low-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance imaging

A novel, very-low-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technique is used to image the distribution of several nitroxides with distinct pharmacologic compartment affinities in the abdomens of living mice. Image acquisition is sufficiently rapid to allow a time sequence of the distribution for each compound. The spectra and concentrations of these nitroxides are imaged with the use of spectral-spatial imaging to distinguish a single spatial dimension. Liver and bladder of the mouse anatomy are distinguished by this technique. After an intraperitoneal injection of the spin-label probes, a shift in the distribution of the compounds from the upper abdomen (primarily liver) to the lower abdomen (primarily bladder) is observed. The time dependence of the shift in regional distribution depends on the structural properties of the side chain attached to the spin label. These results indicate that this application of in vivo electron paramagnetic resonance imaging will provide a new method of magnetic resonance imaging for determination of pharmacodynamics in the body of an intact animal.

[11C]metaraminol, a false neurotransmitter: preparation, metabolite studies and positron emission tomography examination in monkey

No-carrier-added racemic [11C]metaraminol was prepared by a selective condensation of [11C]nitroethane with 3-hydroxy-benzaldehyde using tetrabutylammonium fluoride in tetrahydrofuran (THF) as a catalyst, followed by a reduction with Raney nickel in formic acid. [11C]Metaraminol was produced in 30 to 45% decay-corrected yield from [11C]nitroethane (13 to 20% decay corrected from [11C]CO2) within 45 to 55 min total synthesis time. Reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used for the separation of the racemic erythro- and threo-forms of [11C]metaraminol. The radiochemical purity was higher than 98%, and the specific radioactivity at the end of synthesis was 500 to 800 Ci/mmol (18 to 30 GBq/mumol). Positron emission tomography (PET) examination of racemic erythro-[11C]metaraminol in a Cynomolgus monkey showed a high uptake of radioactivity in the heart. Following pretreatment with the selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor desipramine, the radioactivity uptake in the myocardium was markedly reduced (80%), demonstrating the specificity of erythro-[11C]metaraminol for the norepinephrine reuptake system of the heart. Pretreatment with desipramine had no effect on radioactivity in lung. The metabolism was rapid for [11C]metaraminol. The amounts of the total radioactivity representing [11C]metaraminol in plasma, determined by HPLC, were 14% at 6 min and 8% at 34 min. The high specific uptake of racemic erythro-[11C]metaraminol indicates that enantiomerically pure (R,S)-[11C]metaraminol has potential for detailed mapping of the sympathetic innervation of the human myocardium.

Evaluation of 1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl alpha-fluoroalkyl-alpha-hydroxy-alpha-phenylacetates as potential ligands for the study of muscarinic receptor density by positron emission tomography

Both 1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl alpha-(1-fluoroeth-2-yl)-alpha-hydroxy-alpha-phenylacetate (FQNE, 5) and 1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl alpha-(1-fluoropent-5-yl)-alpha-hydroxy-alpha-phenylacetate (FQNPe, 6) were prepared and evaluated as potential candidates for the determination of muscarinic cholinergic receptor (mAChR) density by positron emission tomography (PET). The results of in vitro binding assays demonstrated that although both 5 and 6 had high binding affinities for m1 and m2 mAChR subtypes, 6 displayed a higher affinity (nM, m1; KD, 0.45, m2; KD, 3.53) as compared to 5 (nM, m1; KD, 12.5, m2; KD, 62.8). It was observed that pretreatment of female Fisher rats with either 5 or 6 prior to the i.v. administration of Z-(-)(-)-[131I]-IQNP, a high-affinity muscarinic ligand, significantly blocked the uptake of radioactivity in the brain and heart measured 3 h postinjection of the radiolabeled ligand. These new fluoro QNB analogues represent important target ligands for evaluation as potential receptor imaging agents in conjunction with PET.

Radioiodination of nicotine with specific activity high enough for mapping nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

A novel radiochemical method is presented to synthesize 5-[123I/125I/131I]-dL-nicotine by radioiodination of 5-bromonicotine. Radioiodination of the precursor 5-dL-bromonicotine was achieved using a copper (I)-assisted nucleophilic exchange reaction in the presence of reducing agent. The reaction conditions were optimized by varying pH, concentration of Sn(II) salt, ascorbic acid, Cu(I)chloride and reaction temperature. After purification by high-performance liquid chromatography the radiochemical purity of the product exceeded 98%, with a radiochemical yield of 55% and a specific activity > or =5 GBq/micromol. Specific binding of the iodinated nicotine was demonstrated in rat brain by autoradiography. The radioactivity from the specific structures was displaced by an excess of non-radioactive nicotine (10(-3)M) with KD and Bmax of 13.1+/-7.8 nM and 22+/-2.7 fmol/mg protein and unspecific binding of about 40%. The in vivo distribution of 5-[131I]iodonicotine was determined in 20 female Wistar rats at various time intervals of 15s to 90 min post injection (p.i.) by well counting and autoradiography. Brain activity peaked within 0.5 min p.i., and then showed a biexponential washout. Initially, activity within the cerebral cortex exceeded that of the cerebellum by a factor of 1.5-2.0. It was also increased in the striatum and thalamus. However, as soon as 15 min p.i. activity was almost homogeneously distributed. In conclusion, synthesis of 5-iodo-dL-nicotine (labelled with 131I, 125I or 123I, respectively) with appropriately high specific activity for receptor studies was achieved and specific binding to nicotine receptors in rat brain was demonstrated; following intravenous injection, however, there is considerable unspecific binding, obviously due to highly flow-dependent tissue retention.

Radiotracer binding to brain microsomes determined by thin-layer chromatography

A thin-layer chromatography (TLC) assay was developed to monitor the interaction of radiotracers with brain microsomes. Murine brain microsomes were coated onto a zone of a TLC strip, the unreacted sites blocked with gelatin, and the radiotracers chromatographed over the microsomes. Radiotracers bound to the microsomes and were separated from the unreacted materials which migrated at or near the solvent front. Up to 80% of the applied radioactivity bound to the brain microsomes when using 99mTc-(d,l) hexamethyl-propyleneamine oxime (HMPAO) and 123I-(S)-2-hydroxy-3-iodo-6-methoxy-N-[(1-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinyl) methyl]-benzamide (123I-IBZM) as tracers. On the other hand, the presumptive negative control materials p-I-15-phenyl-pentadecanoic acid-123I (123I-IPPA) and 99mTc-mercapto-acetyl triglycine (MAG3) bound poorly (7% and 4%, respectively). 99mTc-ethyl cysteinate dimer (ECD) interacted poorly (9.9%), a result thought to be consistent with its known inability to be metabolized by nonprimate brain tissue. Radiolabeled octreotide analogues (radiolabeled with 111In, I-131 or 99mTc) also bound, and the binding could be reduced by excess unlabeled octreotide. Also, chemical modification by acylation of Lys5 in 111In-labeled octreotide led to decreased binding (approximately 70%) compared to the original radiotracer. Chromatography of the various radiotracers over TLC strips coated only with gelatin was used to monitor nonspecific binding and was low and frequently below 5%. This technique does not require wash steps or centrifugation, and assays are rapidly completed. The assay could be useful in monitoring the interaction of radiotracers with brain microsomes and in evaluating and developing new radiotracers.

Radiosynthesis, rodent biodistribution, and metabolism of 1-deoxy-1-[18F]fluoro-D-fructose

Fluorine-18 labeled analog of D-fructose, 1-deoxy-1-[18F]fluoro-D- fructose (1-[18F]FDFrc), was synthesized by nucleophilic substitution of [18F]fluoride ion and the effect of the fluorine substitution on its in vivo metabolism was investigated. The tissue distributions of 1-[18F]FDFrc in rats and tumor bearing mice showed initial high uptake and subsequent rapid washout of the radioactivity in the principal sites of D-fructose metabolism (kidneys, liver and small intestine). The uptakes in the brain and tumor (fibrosarcoma) were the lowest and moderate, respectively, but tended to increase with time. The in vivo metabolic studies of 1-[18F]FDFrc and nonradioactive 1-FDFrc in mouse brain and tumor showed that the fluorinated analog remained unmetabolized in these tissues, indicating that the substitution of fluorine at the C-1 position produces a nonmetabolizable analog of D-fructose. Thus, 1-[18F]FDFrc had no features of a metabolic trapping tracer without showing any appreciable organ or tumor specific localization.

Selective synthesis of racemic 1-11C-labelled norepinephrine, octopamine, norphenylephrine and phenylethanolamine using [11C]nitromethane

A new and simple method for the selective condensation of no-carrier-added [11C]nitromethane (1) with various substituted (protected) benzaldehydes to [beta-11C]beta-nitrophenethyl alcohols was developed. This method which utilizes tetrabutylammonium fluoride in THF as a catalyst gave a condensation yield of 80-90% and a selectivity of 80-90% for [11C]nitroalcohol vs [11C]nitrostyrene formation within 2 min. Reduction of these [11C]nitroalcohols with Raney nickel in formic acid gave the corresponding [11C]aminoalcohols in a yield of 60-90%. Boron tribromide was used for the cleavage of 4-methoxy and 3,4-(methylenedioxy) phenol protecting groups. After HPLC-purification, racemic 1-11C-labelled norepinephrine (7), phenylethanolamine (4), norphenylephrine (5) and octopamine (6) were prepared in a 12-30% decay corrected total radiochemical yield (20-50% counted from 1) with an overall synthesis time of 40-70 min from end of bombardment (EOB). The radiochemical purity was > 98% and the specific radioactivity 700-1500 Ci/mmol (26-56 GBq/mumol).