ABSTRACT
Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of type 2 vesicular monoamine transporter molecular probe,18 F-FP-(+)-DTBZ, in the monitoring of total islet β cell mass in animal models. Methods Two groups of Wistar rats were included in this study. In the type 1 diabetes group ( n = 6 ) , the streptozotocin ( STZ) was intraperitoneally injected at a dose of 65 mg/kg, and the control group ( n= 6 ) was likewisely injected with an equal volume of saline, Micro- positron emission tomography ( PET )/ computed tomography ( CT) imaging was performed at these rats post injection of18 F-FP-(+)-DTBZ at 0. 5, 1, 4, 6, and 12 months after STZ or saline injection, bodyweight and glucose level were also measured. Results The average standardized uptake values ( SUV) in the pancreas in the type 1 diabetes rats were decreased significantly than that of the control group at 0.5, 1, and, 4 months ( P<0.05) , and there was no significant difference at 6th and 12th months ( P>0.05) post injection of STZ and saline. Fasting blood glucose positively correlated with pancreatic SUV in the two groups at 0.5, 1, and 4 months (P<0.05) post injection of STZ and saline. Conclusion 18F-FP-(+)-DTBZ PET imaging is a promising method for dynamic monitoringβcell mass in type 1 diabetic rats.