Experiment assessment of mass effects in the rat: implications for small animal PET imaging.

In vivo imaging using positron emission tomography (PET) is important in the development of new radiopharmaceuticals in rodent animal models for use as biochemical probes, diagnostic agents, or in drug development. We have shown mathematically that, if small animal imaging studies in rodents are to have the same "quality" as human PET studies, the same number of coincidence events must be detected from a typical rodent imaging "voxel" as from the human imaging voxel. To achieve this using the same specific activity preparation, we show that roughly the same total amount of radiopharmaceutical must be given to a rodent as to a human subject. At high specific activities, the mass associated with human doses, when administered to a rodent, may not decrease the uptake of radioactivity at non saturable sites or sites where an enzyme has a high capacity for a substrate. However, in the case of binding sites of low density such as receptors, the increased mass injected could saturate the receptor and lead to physiologic effects and non-linear kinetics. Because of the importance of the mass injected for small animal PET imaging, we experimentally compared high and low mass preparations using ex vivo biodistribution and phosphorimaging of three compounds: 2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG), 6-fluoro-L-metatyrosine (FMT) and one receptor-directed compound, the serotonin 5HT1A receptor ligand, trans-4-fluoro-N-[2-[4-(2-methoxylphenyl) piperazino]ethyl]-N-(2-pyridyl) cyclohexane- carboxamide (FCWAY). Changes in the mass injected per rat did not affect the distribution of FDG, FMT, and FCWAY in the range of 0.6-1.9 nmol per rat. Changes in the target to nontarget ratio were observed for injected masses of FCWAY in the range of approximately 5-50 nmol per rat. If the specific activity of such compounds and/or the sensitivity of small animal scanners are not increased relative to human studies, small animal PET imaging will not correctly portray the "true" tracer distribution. These difficulties will only be exacerbated in animals smaller than the rat, e.g., mice.

Regional brain uptake of the muscarinic ligand, [18F]FP-TZTP, is greatly decreased in M2 receptor knockout mice but not in M1, M3 and M4 receptor knockout mice.

A muscarinic receptor radioligand, 3-(3-(3-fluoropropyl)thio) -1,2,5,thiadiazol-4-yl)-1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-1-methylpyridine (fP-TZTP) radiolabeled with the positron emitting radionuclide (18)F ([(18)F]FP-TZTP) displayed regional brain distribution consistent with M2 receptor densities in rat brain. The purpose of the present study is to further elucidate the subtype selectivity of [(18)F]FP-TZTP using genetically engineered mice which lacked functional M1, M2, M3, or M4 muscarinic receptors. Using ex vivo autoradiography, the regional brain localization of [(18)F]FP-TZTP in M2 knockout (M2 KO) was significantly decreased (51.3 to 61.4%; P<0.01) when compared to the wild-type (WT) mice in amygdala, brain stem, caudate putamen, cerebellum, cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus, superior colliculus, and thalamus. In similar studies with M1KO, M3KO and M4KO compared to their WT mice, [(18)F]FP-TZTP uptakes in the same brain regions were not significantly decreased at P<0.01. However, in amygdala and hippocampus small decreases of 19.5% and 22.7%, respectively, were observed for M1KO vs WT mice at P<0.05. Given the fact that large decreases in [(18)F]FP-TZTP brain uptakes were seen only in M2 KO vs. WT mice, we conclude that [(18)F]FP-TZTP preferentially labels M2 receptors in vivo.

Monitoring the correction of glycogen storage disease type 1a in a mouse model using [(18)F]FDG and a dedicated animal scanner.

Monitoring gene therapy of glycogen storage disease type 1a in a mouse model was achieved using [(18)F]FDG and a dedicated animal scanner. The G6Pase knockout (KO) mice were compared to the same mice after infusion with a recombinant adenovirus containing the murine G6Pase gene (Ad-mG6Pase). Serial images of the same mouse before and after therapy were obtained and compared with wild-type (WT) mice of the same strain to determine the uptake and retention of [(18)F]FDG in the liver. Image data were acquired from heart, blood pool and liver for twenty minutes after injection of [(18)F]FDG. The retention of [(18)F]FDG was lower for the WT mice compared to the KO mice. The mice treated with adenovirus-mediated gene therapy had retention similar to that found in age-matched WT mice. These studies show that FDG can be used to monitor the G6Pase concentration in liver of WT mice as compared to G6Pase KO mice. In these mice, gene therapy returned the liver function to that found in age matched WT controls as measured by the FDG kinetics in the liver compared to that found in age matched wild type controls.

Biologically stable [(18)F]-labeled benzylfluoride derivatives.

Use of the [(18)F]-fluoromethyl phenyl group is an attractive alternative to direct fluorination of phenyl groups because the fluorination of the methyl group takes place under milder reaction conditions. However, we have found that 4-FMeBWAY showed femur uptake equal to that of fluoride up to 30 min in rat whereas 4-FMeQNB had a significantly lower percent injected dose per gram in femur up to 120 min. For these and other benzylfluoride derivatives, there was no clear in vivo structure-defluorination relationship. Because benzylchlorides (BzCls) are known alkylating agents, benzylfluorides may be alkylating agents as well, which may be the mechanism of defluorination. On this basis, the effects of substitution on chemical stability were evaluated by the 4-(4-nitro-benzyl)-pyridine (NBP) test, which is used to estimate alkylating activity with NBP. The effect of substitution on the alkylating activity was evaluated for nine BzCl derivatives: BzCl; 3- or 4-methoxy (electron donation) substituted BzCl; 2-, 3-, or 4-nitro (electron withdrawing) substituted BzCl; and 2-, 3-, or 4-chloro (electron withdrawing) substituted BzCl. Taken together, the alkylating reactivity of 3-chloro-BzCl was the weakest. This result was then applied to [(18)F]-benzylfluoride derivatives and in vivo and in vitro stability were evaluated. Consequently, 3-chloro-[(18)F]-benzylfluoride showed a 70-80% decrease of defluorination in both experiments in comparison with [(18)F]-benzylfluoride, as expected. Moreover, a good linear relationship between in vivo femur uptake and in vitro hepatocyte metabolism was observed with seven (18)F-labeled radiopharmaceuticals, which were benzylfluorides, alkylfluorides, and arylfluorides. Apparently, the [(18)F]-fluoride ion is released by metabolism in the liver in vivo. In conclusion, 3-chloro substituted BzCls are the most stable, which suggests that 3-chloro benzylfluorides will be the most chemically stable compound. This result should be important in future design of radioligands labeled with a benzylfluoride moiety.

Using single photon emission tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) to trace the distribution of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (MACHR) binding radioligands.

Two [18F] labeled ligands for the mAChR were prepared and evaluated in rodents and nonhuman primates. The properties of both compounds, one an agonist and the other an antagonist, were consistent with M2 subtype specificity.

In vivo muscarinic binding of 3-(alkylthio)-3-thiadiazolyl tetrahydropyridines.

Based on encouraging in vitro data indicating M2 subtype selectivity, we synthesized, radiolabeled with 18F, and evaluated 3-(3-(2-fluoroethylthio)-1,2,5-thiadiazol-4-yl)-1,2,5,6-tetr ahydro-1-methylpyridine [FE-TZTP], and 3-(3-(3-fluoropropylthio)-1,2,5-thiadiazol-4-yl)-1,2,5,6-tet rahydro-1-methylpyridine [FP-TZTP] for muscarinic subtype selectivity in vivo. [18F]FE-TZTP displays high uptake in vivo but is inhibited only weakly by coinjecting unlabeled P-TZTP. Contrarily, [18F]FP-TZTP shows significant inhibition of uptake by coinjecting unlabeled P-TZTP or the muscarinic agonist L-687,306 (3-(3-cyclopropyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane ). Using in vivo autoradiography, [18F]FP-TZTP displays regional distribution consistent with M2 subtype distribution. In addition, [18F]FP-TZTP shows specific uptake in the heart at 5 min. Analysis of metabolites in the awake rat brain revealed that the parent compound represents >95% of the extractable activity at 30 min. In vivo studies in rhesus monkeys revealed rapid brain uptake of [18F]FP-TZTP, with clearance sustained over 2 h. Administration of P-TZTP or FP-TZTP (80 nmol/kg) at 60 min after injection of [18F]FP-TZTP results in a significant displacement of brain activity in all regions. Metabolite analysis in monkey plasma shows that parent compound represents 20% of the extractable radioactivity at 40 min postinjection. One metabolite, which increases with time, has similar lipophilicity to the parent. However, based on metabolism in rat we believe metabolites are not in the brain to any significant extent in monkeys during the time of imaging studies. Regional uptake, autoradiographic distribution, and clearance rates in the brain are consistent with the hypothesis that [18F]FP-TZTP is M2 selective in vivo.

In vivo muscarinic binding selectivity of (R,S)- and (R,R)-[18F]-fluoromethyl QNB.

We have developed a multistep radiochemical synthesis of two diastereomers of quinuclidinyl-4-[18F]-fluoromethyl-benzilate ([18F]-FMeQNB), a high-affinity ligand for muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. Previously, we have shown that the nonradioactive (R,R)-diastereomer displays an eightfold selectivity for M1 over M2 while the nonradioactive (R,S)-diastereomer displays a sevenfold selectivity for M2 over M1 in vitro. This paper reports the results of in vivo comparison studies. In the rat, uptake of (R,S)-[18F]-FMeQNB was nearly uniform in all brain regions following the concentration of M2 subtype. The uptake was reduced by 36-54% in all brain regions on coinjection with 50 nmol of unlabeled ligand. An injection of (R,S)-[18F]-FMeQNB followed at 60 min by injection of unlabeled ligand and subsequent sacrifice at 120 min displaced 30-50% of radioactivity in the pons, medulla, and cerebellum, which contain a high proportion of M2 subtype. The most dramatic displacement and inhibition of uptake on coinjection of (R,S)-[18F]-FMeQNB was observed in the heart. In rhesus monkey, the compound showed prolonged uptake and retention in the brain. In the blood, the parent compound degraded rapidly to a single radiolabeled polar metabolite believed to be fluoride. Within 30 min the parent compound represented less than 5% of the plasma activity. Displacement with (R)-QNB was generally slow, but was more rapid from those tissues which contain a higher proportion of M2 subtype. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that (R,S)-[18F]-FMeQNB is M2 selective in vivo. On the other hand, (R,R)-[18F]-FMeQNB showed higher uptake in those brain regions containing a higher concentration of M1 subtype. Uptake in the heart at 60 min was much lower than that observed with the (R,S)-diastereomer. Inhibition of uptake on coinjection with unlabeled (R,S)-FMeQNB is only significant in the heart, thalamus, and pons. Inhibition of uptake on coinjection with unlabeled (R,R)-FMeQNB is quite uniform in all brain regions. Displacement with (R)-QNB shows a more varying amount displaced. These results are consistent with (R,R)-[18F]-FMeQNB being M1 selective in vivo.

An affinity column method for determination of the immunoreactivity of 131I-chimeric L6 monoclonal antibody and comparison to in vivo tumor localization.

An affinity column method was developed to determine the immunoreactivity of 131I-ChiL6 (chimeric L6 monoclonal antibody), a candidate for radioimmunotherapy. This method involved assessing the binding of the radiolabeled antibody to antigen containing membranes bound to a Reacti-gel agarose matrix. The immunoreactivity determined by the affinity column method correlated to other in vitro binding assays including the Lindmo infinite antigen excess method. In tumor-bearing mice which had been injected with 131I-ChiL6, which possessed high immunoreactivities (90-82%), a high tumor uptake (13.5-10.5% ID/g) was observed. A decrease in tumor uptake (5.2-4.8% ID/g) was observed with 131I-ChiL6 samples of low immunoreactivity (42% and 31%, respectively). While a moderate loss of immunoreactivity (4-18%) of the 131I-ChiL6 samples could be detected by the affinity column method, the loss of tumor uptake in vivo observed was not as significant. This method was found to be an efficient and sensitive method for detecting damage to the antibody during radiolabeling and applicable as a quality control method for clinical trials. This rapid method, compared to the other in vitro binding assays (including the Lindmo infinite antigen excess method) has distinct advantages as a quality control method since it requires less manipulation and can be semi-automated.

A specific radioimmunoassay for the measurement of gadoteridol, a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging in biological fluids.

Gadoteridol, a nonionic gadolinium chelate, is currently being evaluated for contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. A radioimmunoassay (RIA) has been developed for the measurement of gadoteridol in biological fluids. The RIA has a range of 0 to 25 micrograms/mL and has the sensitivity to detect 0.05 microgram/mL of gadoteridol. Satisfactory zero binding and sensitivity were obtained after an overnight incubation at 4 degrees C. Separation of the antibody-bound and free radiolabel was achieved with 12.5% polyethylene glycol. A quantitative recovery of the exogenous analyte was obtained at all concentrations of gadoteridol tested. Linearity in both serum and urine was satisfactory. Intraassay coefficients of variation were 6.4 and 2.8% for the low and medium controls, respectively. Interassay coefficients of variation were 5.4, 3.8, and 12.2% for the low, medium, and high controls, respectively. Cross reactivities of the ligand 5 and the calcium salt 6 were 37 and 29%, respectively. Clinical samples from the ascending dosage studies were analyzed by the gadoteridol RIA. The results obtained from the serum specimens demonstrated an excellent linear proportionality between drug concentration in blood and administered dosage of gadoteridol. Cumulative urinary excretion data showed that 94% of the drug was excreted in the urine within 24 h.

The in vitro dissociation kinetics of (R,R)-[125I]4IQNB is reflected in the in vivo washout of the radioligand from rat brain.

We have determined the kinetics of dissociation of (R)-3-Quinuclidinyl (R)-4-[125I]Iodobenzilate ((R,R)-[125I]4IQNB) from muscarinic acetylcholine receptor preparations from the cortex, hippocampus, caudate/putamen, thalamus, pons and colliculate bodies. The dissociation curves are well described by a biexponential function and are consistent with subtype selectivity favoring slow dissociation from the M1, M3, and M4 receptors with a 20-fold faster dissociation rate for the M2 receptor. Following intravenous injection, (R,R)-[125I]4IQNB binds to receptor in the rat brain in concentrations which reflect the receptor concentration present in a structure. We determined the extent of radioligand present at two times, 2 and 24 hrs, as an indication of the relative proportions of m-AChR which exhibits rapid vs. slow dissociation of (R,R)-[125I]4IQNB. A good correlation between in vitro and in vivo results suggests that the relative populations of receptor subtypes can be imaged using in vivo pharmacokinetics of (R,R)-[125I]4IQNB.

[125I]17-alpha-iodovinyl 11-beta-methoxyestradiol interaction in vivo with estrogen receptors in hormone-independent MCF-7 human breast cancer transfected with the v-rasH oncogene.

[125I]17-alpha-Iodovinyl 11-beta-methoxyestradiol [( 125I]MIVE2) has been evaluated as a potential radiotracer for the diagnostic imaging of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive human breast cancer. In vivo distribution experiments with athymic ovariectomized nude mice bearing human breast tumors revealed an apparent correlation between uptake of 125I-labeled compound and estrogen receptor concentration in the tumors. At 4 h after i.v. injection of [125I]MIVE2, HS578T (ER negative), ZR75-B (intermediate ER), and MCF-7ras (high ER) tumors accumulated 0.320 +/- 0.186, 0.679 +/- 0.467, and 2.6163 +/- 1.0121% injected dose/g, respectively. With coinjection of unlabeled 17-beta-estradiol, levels of radioactivity in MCF-7ras tumors were decreased to 0.4859 +/- 0.1424% injected dose/g, indicating a receptor-mediated process. Peak activity of radioligand in MCF-7ras tumors and uteri was observed at 2 h and was retained for the 8-h time course. Blood and nontarget tissue, such as muscle, revealed a rapid clearance of 125I-labeled compound by 8 h. Eight hours after injection, uterus and tumor-to-blood ratios were calculated to be 225 and 21, respectively. Also, MCF-7ras tumors were shown to accumulate 6.5-fold more radioactivity than muscle. These data suggest that [125I]MIVE2 has the capability of interacting specifically and with high affinity with estrogen receptors in human breast tumors in nude mice and may possibly be used for imaging receptor-positive tumors in breast cancer patients with very low serum estrogen levels. Selective uptake of compound in MCF-7ras tumors emphasizes the usefulness of an estrogen receptor-positive tumor model which has a unique ability to grow in a host system without circulating estrogens.

Binding characteristics and biological activity of 17 alpha-[125I]iodovinyl-11 beta-methoxyestradiol, an estrogen receptor-binding radiopharmaceutical, in human breast cancer cells (MCF-7).

17 alpha-[125I]Iodovinyl-11 beta-methoxyestradiol ([125I]MIVE2), a gamma-emitting analogue of estradiol, previously shown to bind to rat uterine estradiol receptor, was studied to determine the binding characteristics and biological activity in human breast cancer cells. In vitro determination of receptor binding by dextran-coated charcoal assays indicates that [125I]-MIVE2 binds specifically and with a high affinity to cytosolic estrogen receptors in the human breast cancer cell line, MCF-7. [3H]Estradiol binds to the receptor with approximately four times the affinity of [125I]-MIVE2 (Kd = 2.55 X 10(-9) M for [125I]MIVE2; Kd = 6.4 X 10(-10) M for [3H]estradiol). Unlabeled MIVE2 produces estrogenic effects similar to those of estradiol such as progesterone receptor induction and increases in thymidine incorporation in MCF-7 cells in culture. Cytosolic progesterone receptor levels were elevated 2.8-fold over control levels by 6 X 10(-9) M MIVE2. Stimulation of thymidine incorporation (approximately 300% above control levels) was observed after exposure to 1 X 10(-9) M MIVE2. Preliminary data show receptor-mediated uptake by the uterus in biodistribution studies in athymic nude mice given injections of [125I] MIVE2 (32-34 microCi). At 4 h, uterus:blood ratios are 20.5 and target tissue:nontarget tissue ratios are 12.9. In light of the fact that this compound can be prepared with a high specific activity, [125I]MIVE2 may have potential as a radiotracer for imaging estrogen receptor-positive breast tumors or metastatic lesions in human breast cancer patients.

Receptor-selective localization in pancreas.

We examined the distribution of three tritiated ligands and two radioiodinated ligands for their ability to localize in the pancreas of rat and rabbit. The ligands examined are selective for the alpha- and beta-adrenoceptors and the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor. Of the ligands examined, the results indicate that only (R) 3H-3-quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) localized in the pancreas by the receptor-mediated mechanism. The % dose/g tissue, the pancreas-to-blood and pancreas-to-liver ratios are such that a 18F-labeled derivative of QNB should provide images of the pancreas.

Synthesis and evaluation of (17 alpha,20E)-21-[125I]iodo-19-norpregna-1,3,5(10),20-tetraene-3,17 -diol and (17 alpha,20E)-21-[125I]iodo-11 beta-methoxy-19-norpregna-1,3,5(10),20-tetraene-3,17-diol (17 alpha-(iodovinyl)estradiol derivatives) as high specific activity potential radiopharmaceuticals.

Two 17 alpha-[125I]iodovinyl estradiol derivatives 4b,d possessing high specific activity have been prepared and tested as potential radiopharmaceuticals. The use of the 3-acetyl derivatives 2c,e and the replacement of iodine monochloride with sodium iodide and Chloramine-T in THF/phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) permitted us to synthesize no-carrier-added (17 alpha,20E)-21-[125I]iodo-19-norpregna-1,3,5(10),20-tetraene-3,17-d iol (4b) and (17 alpha,20E)-21-[125I]iodo-11 beta-methoxy-19-norpregna-1,3,5(10),20-tetraene-3,17-diol (4d) with 50% radiochemical yield and high purity. Although the specific activity represents only half of the theoretical value in some cases, this modified approach is a substantial improvement over the previously published method. Our preliminary distribution studies indicate that although both 4b and 4d localize in the tissues known to have a large concentration of estrogen receptors, 4d accumulates in higher amounts in target tissues and provides a high target to nontarget ratio.

[125I] 3-quinuclidinyl 4-iodobenzilate: a high affinity, high specific activity radioligand for the M1 and M2-acetylcholine receptors.

We have prepared a radioiodinated ligand which binds with high affinity to the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (m-AChR). A derivative of 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate, [125I] labeled (R) 1-aza-bicyclo(2.2.2)oct-3-yl (R,S)-alpha-hydroxy-alpha-(4-[125I]iodophenyl)phenyl acetate (4- IQNB ) exhibits an affinity for the m-AChR from corpus striatum higher than that of (R) [3H] QNB. Additionally, [125I] 4- IQNB exhibits receptor selectivity for the M1 receptor since the affinity for the receptor from dog and rat heart is lower than that using dog or rat corpus striatum.

In vivo competition studies with analogues of 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate.

Among ligands that bind to the alpha- and beta-adrenoceptors and to the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (m-AChR), those that bind to the latter have the best properties for external detection of receptor sites by gamma-camera imaging. To develop the optimal radiotracer, nonradioactive analogues of 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate (I) were tested in in vivo displacement studies with (-)-[3H]I to determine their ability to compete with (-)-[3H]I for the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor. There is a linear correlation between the ability to compete with (-)-[3H]I for the m-AChR and the affinity constant of the analogue as determined by in vitro assay, suggesting that the test is a valid indicator of in vivo distribution. One radioiodinated analogue, 3-quinuclidinyl p- iodobenzilate , bound to m-AChR in the heart and brain of rats.

[I-125] 17 alpha-Iodovinyl 11 beta-methoxyestradiol: in vivo and in vitro properties of a high-affinity estrogen-receptor radiopharmaceutical.

17 alpha-[125I[Iodovinyl 11 beta-methoxyestradiol ([I-125]MIVE2) has been prepared with high specific activity (1500-2000 Ci/mmol) and a high affinity for the estrogen receptor (KA = 6.8 x 10(9) M/Ml). In vivo distribution studies using immature rats result in high levels of activity in the uterus (20-30% dose/g) with uterus-to-plasma ratios on the order of 68 to 100. Peak activity in the uterus is obtained between 2 and 4 hr, and by 6 hr 50% of the activity has washed out. The [I-125]MIVE2 exhibits a slower rate of washout relative to the washout of H-3 estradiol. By in vivo competition studies with nonradioactive estradiol, we found that 95% of the [I-125]MIVE2 bound in the uterus is specifically bound to estrogen receptors. The radioactive labeling of MIVE2 is sufficiently rapid so that [I-123]MIVE2 has been synthesized and is currently in clinical trials. These results suggest that MIVE2 would be an excellent agent for the study of estrogen receptors in vivo and in vitro.

The characteristics of I-125 4-IQNB and H-3 QNB in vivo and in vitro.

The accumulation of (R)-(H-3)-3-quinuclidinyl benzilate (H-3 QNB) and (R,S)-1-azabicyclo(2.2.2)oct-3-yl (R,S)-alpha-hydroxy-(4-[I-125]iodophenyl) benzeneacetate (I-125 4- IQNB ) in heart, caudate/putamen, and cerebellum of rats was determined at intervals from 15 min to 4 hr after injection. The behavior of the two radiotracers in the heart is consistent with in vitro results with respect to affinities and specificities. In the brain, however, the compounds differ in tissue selectivity. At high specific activity, neither compound provides localization that is consistent with the concentration of receptor in the tissues. The results of this study do not indicate quantification of receptor concentration by means of single external images.

Synthesis and evaluation of radioiodinated derivatives of 1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl alpha-hydroxy-alpha-(4-iodophenyl)-alpha- phenylacetate as potential radiopharmaceuticals.

Two derivatives of (RS)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl (RS)-alpha-hydroxy-alpha-(4-iodophenyl)-alpha-phenylacetate (1a) and three partially resolved (R)- or (S)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl (RS)-alpha-hydroxy-alpha-(4-iodophenyl)-alpha-phenylacetates labeled with no carrier added iodine-125 (1b, 18, and 19) and iodine-123 (1c and 18a) were synthesized by the Wallach triazene approach. We have found that this approach is necessary to obtain no carrier added labeling and gives far better results than the direct electrophilic iodination. The obtained yields were 7 to 18% when using iodine-123 (yield dependent on the source of iodide) and up to 17% for iodine-123 (yield dependent on the source of iodide) and up to 17% for iodine-125 labeled compounds. Our preliminary distribution studies indicate that 1b localizes in the organs known to have a large concentration of muscarinic receptors and that this localization is due to binding to those receptors.

Differences in affinities of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists for brain and heart receptors.

The affinities of atropine, scopolamine, 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate and twelve analogues of 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate were determined for the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (m-AChR) using membrane preparations from caudate/putamen. The affinity constants thus obtained were compared with affinities previously reported for the m-AChR obtained from ventricular muscle. The affinities differed significantly for six of the compounds, the largest difference being 16-fold. Neither solubilization nor variation of physiologically significant salts led to a significant change in the affinity of that compound. These results are interpreted as supporting the subclassification of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor.