[125/123I] 5-Iodo-3-pyridyl ethers. syntheses and binding to neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

Three 3-pyridyl ether nicotinic ligands-(S)-5-Iodo-3-[(2-pyrrolidinyl)-methoxy]pyridine (5-iodo-A-85865), (S)-5-Iodo-3-[1-(methyl)-2-pyrrolidinyl-methoxy]pyridine (5-Iodo-A-84543), and (S)-5-iodo-3-[1-methyl-(2-azetidinyl)-methoxy]pyridine (5-iodo-N-Me-A-85380) were labeled with I-125/I-123, and their ability to label high-affinity brain nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) was evaluated. The most promising ligand, [123/125I] 5-iodo-A-85865, showed approximately 65% inhibition of radioactivity uptake in thalamus in mice pretreated with cytisine. Preliminary SPECT imaging studies with [123I] 5-iodo-A-85865 revealed a distribution profile consistent with nAChRs (thalamus > frontal cortex > cerebellum) and a more rapid pharmacokinetic profile relative to azetidinyl 3-pyridyl ether based ligands.

Synthesis of an I-123 analog of A-85380 and preliminary SPECT imaging of nicotinic receptors in baboon.

A radiosynthetic method to prepare the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor radioligand (S)-5-[123I]iodo-3-(2-azetidinylmethoxy)pyridine, 5-IA, has been developed. The two-step sequence produced [123I]-5-IA in high radiochemical yield (52%), high radiochemical purity (98%), and high specific radioactivities (> 8,500 mCi/mumol). Preliminary single photon emission computed tomography studies with [123I]-5-IA in baboon demonstrated the appropriate regional localization for a high-affinity nicotinic radioprobe (thalamus > frontal cortex > cerebellum). Pretreatment with cytisine blocked [123I]-5-IA uptake in all brain regions (78-59% reduction), demonstrating the specificity of the radiotracer.

Pharmacological evaluation of [11C]A-84543: an enantioselective ligand for in vivo studies of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

[11C]A-84543, 3-[(1-[11C]methyl-2(S)-pyrrolidinyl)methoxy]pyridine, is a specific and enantioselective neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) radiotracer. The in vivo biodistribution of this radiotracer in mice showed high brain uptake and a distribution consistent with the density of nAChRs. Highest uptake was observed in the thalamus (9.6 %ID/g), cortex (9.9 %ID/g), superior colliculus (7.6 %ID/g) and hippocampus (7.6 %ID/g) at 5 min followed by clearance. As a measure of specificity, the thalamus/cerebellar ratio reached a maximum of 2.3 at 30 min post-injection. Radioactivity in the thalamus and superior colliculus was reduced by 33% by pre-administration of unlabeled A-84543. The nAChR agonists (-)nicotine, cytisine, and (+) epibatidine reduced the radioactivity due to [11C]A-84543 in the superior colliculus by 41%, 38%, and 27%, respectively, while lobeline, which also interacts with central nAChRs, produced a 24% inhibition. The noncompetitive nAChR ligand, mecamylamine displayed no inhibitory effect on [11C]A-84543 accumulation in any brain region. Ketanserin (5-HT2/5-HT2C), scopolamine (mAChR antagonist), (+)butaclamol (DA receptor antagonist), and haloperidol (D2/sigma) also displayed no inhibitory effect in any brain region studied. With the pharmacologically less active enantiomer, 3-[(1-[11C]methyl-2(R)-pyrrolidinyl)methoxy] pyridine, high brain uptake was also observed, but with a low thalamus/cerebellar ratio of 1.4 at 30 min post-injection. [11C]A-84543 displays enantioselectivity for nAChRs and may deserve further investigation as a possible PET radiotracer.

[3H]A-69024: a non-benzazepine ligand for in vitro and in vivo studies of dopamine D1 receptors.

[3H]A-69024 has been prepared as a radioligand for studying the dopamine D1 receptor. [3H]A-69024 binds to rat striatal membranes with a KD = 14.3 +/- 3.2 nM (mean +/- SEM; n = 3) and Bmax = 63.5 +/- 12.8 fmol/mg wet tissue (1.8 +/- 0.3 pmol/mg protein). This ligand binds to only one site with a Hill coefficient close to unity. The in vivo biodistribution of [3H]A-69024 showed a high uptake in the striatum (5.9% ID/g) at 5 min followed by clearance. As a measure of specificity, the striatum/cerebellar ratio reached a maximum of 6.7 at 30 min post-injection. Pre-treatment with the D1 antagonist R(+)SCH 23390 (1 mg/kg) reduced this ratio to unity. The dopamine antagonist (+)butaclamol and unlabeled A-69024 inhibited striatal uptake by 70 and 51%, respectively. Spiperone (D2/5-HT2A) and ketanserin (5-HT2A/5-HT2C) at doses of 1 mg/kg had no inhibitory effect on [3H]A-69024 uptake in the striatum; however, increased uptake of [3H]A-69024 by > 30% in the whole brain was observed. The selectivity and affinity of [3H]A-69024 suggests that this non-benzazepine radioligand may be useful for in vitro and in vivo studies of the dopamine D1 receptor.

Highly potent indanamine serotonin uptake blockers as radiotracers for imaging serotonin uptake sites.

Two highly potent indanamine serotonin (5-HT) uptake blockers, trans-3'-(4'-bromophenyl)-1-indanamine (trans-[11C]DBPI or [11C]Lu 19-056) and its iodo analog, trans-3'(4'-[125I]iodophenyl)-1-indanamine (trans-[125I]DIPI) were evaluated as radiotracers for imaging 5-HT uptake sites in vivo Trans-[11C]DBPI was synthesized by N-methylation of the normethyl precursor with [11C]iodomethane. Trans-[125I]DIPI was synthesized by iododestannylation of the tributyltin precursor with [125I]NaI. Radiochemical yields for the [11C] and [125I] radiotracers were 34 and 40% with specific activities of 4000 and 1800 mCi/mumol, respectively. In vitro, the iodo analog, trans-DIPI, showed an IC50 value of 0.26 nM in inhibition of [3H]paroxetine binding to 5-HT uptake sites in rat cortex. The potency was found to be equivalent to that of paroxetine or McN5652. In vivo, after i.v. injection into mice, both radiotracers showed high uptake in brain (3-4% dose/whole brain at 15 min) and high accumulation into target tissues such as hypothalamus and olfactory tubercles (7-8% dose/g at 60 min). The binding was blocked by pre-injection of 5 mg/kg of peroxetine. While the in vivo distribution agreed with previously reported 5-HT uptake site distribution, the radiotracers showed high uptake in non-target tissues such as cerebellum, resulting in low target-to-non-target ratios (1.5-1.6 at 60 min). Since washout from non-target regions was slower than from target regions, longer-time observation with 125I up to 6 h did not improve the ratios. HPLC analyses of mouse brain homogenates and blocking studies indicated that the high uptake in non-target regions is not the result of metabolism or any interaction of the radiotracers with those tissues via specific binding sites. In spite of low target-to-non-target ratios, target regions with high density of 5-HT uptake sites, such as the raphe nuclei, superior colliculi and substantia nigra, were visualized with trans-[125I]DIPI by ex vivo autoradiography, since the radiotracer showed high specific binding (total mimus nonspecific binding).

Pulmonary accumulation of neutral diamine dithiol complexes of technetium-99m.

Twenty-two neutral, lipid-soluble 99mTc complexes have been synthesized from diamine dithiol (DADT) ligands which vary in alkyl substitution pattern on nitrogen and carbon. The logarithm of the partition coefficients (log PC), as well as the capacity factor k', of the purified complexes increased linearly with molecular weight. The biodistribution of these complexes was determined in normal mice, and several of the complexes selectively accumulated in the lungs as compared to the liver or other organs. Pulmonary accumulation varied greatly with subtle changes in structure, and a 30-fold range of lung uptake (1-31% of the injected dose/organ) was observed for isomeric technetium complexes which have identical molecular weights and similar log PC. Further, a parabolic relationship between lung uptake and log PC was observed for a subset of the complexes which are derived from a homologous series of tetramethyl-DADT ligands. Neutral and lipophilic radiopharmaceuticals labeled with technetium can therefore be developed which exhibit structurally specific uptake in the lung.

In vivo biodistribution of two [18F]-labelled muscarinic cholinergic receptor ligands: 2-[18F]- and 4-[18F]-fluorodexetimide.

Two [18F]-labelled analogues of the potent muscarinic cholinergic receptor (m-AChR) antagonist, dexetimide, were evaluated as potential ligands for imaging m-AChR by positron emission tomography (PET). Intravenous administration of both 2-[18F]- or 4-[18F]-fluorodexetimide resulted in high brain uptake of radioactivity in mice. High binding levels were observed in m-AChR rich areas, such as cortex and striatum, with low levels in the receptor-poor cerebellum. Uptake of radioactivity was saturable and could be blocked by pre-administration of dexetimide or atropine. Drugs with different sites of action were ineffective at blocking receptor binding. The results indicate that both radiotracers are promising candidates for use in PET studies.

Radioiodinated D-(+)-N1-ethyl-2-iodolysergic acid diethylamide: a ligand for in vitro and in vivo studies of serotonin receptors.

Radioiodinated D-(+)-N1-ethyl-2-iodolysergic acid diethylamide ([125I]-EIL) has been evaluated as a ligand for in vitro and in vivo studies of cerebral serotonin 5-HT2 receptors. [125I]-EIL exhibited high affinity (KD = 209 pM) for 5-HT2 receptors with a high degree of specific binding (80-95%) in membranes from rat prefrontal cortex. The regional distribution of [125I]-EIL binding in vivo to seven areas of mouse brain correlated significantly (Rs = 0.93) with known densities of 5-HT2 receptors. In vivo specificity, defined by tissue to cerebellum radioactivity ratios, reached a maximum for frontal cortex at 6 hr (21.2) and persisted through 16 hr (8.8). Ketanserin, a 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, fully inhibited binding in a dose dependent fashion in all brain regions except cerebellum. By contrast, blockers for dopamine D2, alpha- or beta-adrenergic receptors did not significantly inhibit radioligand binding in any region. [125I]-EIL selectively labels 5-HT2 receptors in vivo with the highest specificity of any serotonergic ligand reported to date, indicating that [123I]-EIL should prove applicable to single photon emission computed tomography studies in living brain.

In vitro and in vivo binding of (E)- and (Z)-N-(iodoallyl)spiperone to dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT2 neuroreceptors.

Apparent affinities (Ki) of (E)- and (Z)-N-(iodoallyl)spiperone [E)- and (Z)-NIASP) for dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT2 receptors were determined in competition binding assays. (Z)-NIASP (Ki 0.35 nM, D2; Ki 1.75 nM, 5-HT2) proved slightly more potent and selective for D2 sites in vitro than (E)-NIASP (Ki 0.72 nM, D2; Ki 1.14 nM, 5-HT2). In vivo, radioiodinated (E)- and (Z)-[125I]-NIASP showed regional distributions in mouse brain which are consonant with prolonged binding to dopamine D2 receptors accompanied by a minor serotonergic component of shorter duration. Stereoselective, dose-dependent blockade of (E)-[125I]-NIASP uptake was found for drugs binding to dopamine D2 sites, while drugs selective for serotonin 5-HT2, alpha 1-adrenergic and dopamine D1 receptors did not inhibit radioligand binding 2 hr postinjection. Specific binding in striatal tissue was essentially irreversible over the time course of the study, and (E)-[125I]-NIASP gave a striatal to cerebellar tissue radioactivity concentration of 16.9 to 1 at 6 hr postinjection. Thus, (E)-[125I]-NIASP binds with high selectivity and specificity to dopamine D2 sites in vivo.

Perfusion of lung periphery: effects of local exposures to ozone and pressure.

Following ozone (O3) exposure, airways reactivity increases. We investigated the possibility that exposure to O3 causes a decrease in pulmonary perfusion, and that this decrease is associated with the increase in reactivity. Perfusion was measured with radiolabeled microspheres. A wedged bronchoscope was used to isolate sublobar segments in the middle and lower lobes of anesthetized dogs. Isolated segments were exposed to either O3 or an elevated alveolar pressure. Although increased alveolar pressure decreased microsphere density, exposure to 1 ppm O3 did not. Collateral system resistance rose significantly following exposure to O3 and to high pressure. These studies do not support the hypothesis that pulmonary perfusion is decreased following O3 exposure and is associated with subsequent increases in reactivity.

Blood flow to experimental renal tumors.

Radiolabeled microsphere techniques were used to measure renal blood flow (RBF) in rabbit kidneys with 14- to 16-day-old experimentally induced renal tumors. VX-2 carcinoma cells (25 microliters) harvested from carrier animal intramuscular tumors were injected supraselectively into an intralobar artery using fluoroscopically guided transcatheter techniques. Within 2 to 3 weeks, all animals developed localized 10 to 25 mm diameter renal tumors. Renal blood flow was calculated after left ventricular injection of 113Sn-labeled 15 mu diameter microspheres. Blood flow (ml/minute) in tumor-bearing kidneys (26.91 +/- 1.86) was significantly lower (P = less than .05) than in normal controls (49.79 +/- 7.71). The tumor-bearing kidneys were also significantly larger (15.21 +/- 1.27 gm) than control animal kidneys (10.89 +/- 0.071 gm). Analysis of the tumor kidneys showed flow (ml/minute/g) in the tumor-containing sections (1.82 +/- 0.15) and in the actual tumor tissue (0.62 +/- 0.07) to be significantly lower (P = less than .05) than (1) in the nontumor portions of the same kidneys (2.58 +/- 0.28), and (2) in the tumor animals' contralateral nontumor-bearing kidneys (3.22 +/- 0.16), and (3) in normal control animal kidneys (4.54 +/- 0.29). The reduced flow in tumor-bearing kidneys was not an artifact due to arteriovenous shunting, as demonstrated by 99mTc-microsphere studies in four additional tumor-bearing animals. This study has shown that blood flow to the tumor is extremely low compared with nontumor-containing ipsilateral, contralateral, and normal control renal tissue. These results provide important information relative to possible experimental therapeutic research involving embolization or pharmacologic manipulation of the blood supply to potentiate intra-arterial chemotherapy.