Coronary sodium [18F]fluoride activity predicts outcomes post-CABG: a comparative evaluation with conventional metrics.

PURPOSE: The value of preoperative multidisciplinary approach remains inadequately delineated in forecasting postoperative outcomes of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Herein, we aimed to ascertain the efficacy of multi-modality cardiac imaging in predicting post-CABG cardiovascular outcomes. METHODS: Patients with triple coronary artery disease underwent cardiac sodium [18F]fluoride ([18F]NaF) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), coronary angiography, and CT-based coronary artery calcium scoring before CABG. The maximum coronary [18F]NaF activity (target-to-blood ratio [TBR]max) and the global coronary [18F]NaF activity (TBRglobal) was determined. The primary endpoint was perioperative myocardial infarction (PMI) within 7-day post-CABG. Secondary endpoint included major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) and recurrent angina. RESULTS: This prospective observational study examined 101 patients for a median of 40 months (interquartile range: 19-47 months). Both TBRmax (odds ratio [OR] = 1.445; p = 0.011) and TBRglobal (OR = 1.797; P = 0.018) were significant predictors of PMI. TBRmax>3.0 (area under the curve [AUC], 0.65; sensitivity, 75.0%; specificity, 56.8%; p = 0.036) increased PMI risk by 3.661-fold, independent of external confounders. Kaplan-Meier test revealed a decrease in MACCE survival rate concomitant with an escalating TBRmax. TBRmax>3.6 (AUC, 0.70; sensitivity, 76.9%; specificity, 73.9%; p = 0.017) increased MACCEs risk by 5.520-fold. Both TBRmax (hazard ratio [HR], 1.298; p = 0.004) and TBRglobal (HR = 1.335; p = 0.011) were significantly correlated with recurrent angina. No significant associations were found between CAC and SYNTAX scores and between PMI occurrence and long-term MACCEs. CONCLUSION: Quantification of coronary microcalcification activity via [18F]NaF PET displayed a strong ability to predict early and long-term post-CABG cardiovascular outcomes, thereby outperforming conventional metrics of coronary macrocalcification burden and stenosis severity. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Committee (number: ChiCTR1900022527; URL: www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=37933 ).

Development of a Highly Specific 18F-Labeled Radioligand for Imaging of the Sigma-2 Receptor in Brain Tumors.

Novel ligands with the 6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline or 5,6-dimethoxyisoindoline pharmacophore were designed and synthesized for evaluation of their structure-activity relationship to the sigma-2 (σ2) receptor and developed as suitable PET radioligands. Compound 1 was found to possess nanomolar affinity (Ki(σ1) = 2.57 nM) for the σ2 receptor, high subtype selectivity (>2000-fold), and high selectivity over 40 other receptors and transporters. Radioligand [18F]1 was prepared with radiochemical yield of 37-54%, > 99% radiochemical purity, and molar activity of 107-189 GBq/µmol. Biodistribution and blocking studies in mice and micro-PET/CT imaging of [18F]1 in rats indicated excellent binding specificity to the σ2 receptors in vivo. Micro-PET/CT imaging of [18F]1 in the U87MG glioma xenograft model demonstrated clear tumor visualization with high tumor uptake and tumor-to-background ratio. Co-injection with CM398 (5 µmol/kg) led to a remarkable reduction of tumor uptake (80%, 60-70 min), indicating high specific binding of [18F]1 in U87MG glioma xenografts.

In Vivo Coronary 18F-Sodium Fluoride Activity: Correlations With Coronary Plaque Histological Vulnerability and Physiological Environment.

BACKGROUND: 18F-sodium fluoride (18F-NaF) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) is a promising new approach for assessing microcalcification in vascular plaque. OBJECTIVES: This prospective study aimed to evaluate the associations between in vivo coronary 18F-NaF PET/CT activity and ex vivo histological characteristics, to determine whether coronary 18F-NaF activity is a novel biomarker of plaque pathological vulnerability, and to explore the underlying physiological environment of 18F-NaF adsorption to vascular microcalcification. METHODS: Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) and 18F-NaF PET/CT. Histological vulnerability and immunohistochemical characteristics were evaluated in coronary endarterectomy (CE) specimens from patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting with adjunctive CE. Correlations between in-vivo coronary 18F-NaF activity with coronary CTA adverse plaque features and with ex vivo CE specimen morphological features, CD68 expression, inflammatory cytokines expression (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1ß), osteogenic differentiation cytokines expression (osteopontin, runt-related transcription factor 2, osteocalcin) were evaluated. High- and low- to medium-risk plaques were defined by standard pathological classification. RESULTS: A total of 55 specimens were obtained from 42 CAD patients. Coronary 18F-NaF activity of high-risk specimens was significantly higher than low- to medium-risk specimens (median [25th-75th percentile]: 1.88 [1.41-2.54] vs 1.12 [0.91-1.54]; P < 0.001). Coronary 18F-NaF activity showed high discriminatory accuracy in identifying high-risk plaque (AUC: 0.80). Coronary CTA adverse plaque features (positive remodeling, low-attenuation plaque, remodeling index), histologically vulnerable features (large necrotic core, thin-fibro cap, microcalcification), CD68 expression, tumor necrosis factor-α expression, and interleukin-1ß expression correlated with coronary 18F-NaF activity (all P < 0.05). No significant association between coronary 18F-NaF activity and osteogenic differentiation cytokines was found (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Coronary 18F-NaF activity was associated with histological vulnerability, CD68 expression, inflammatory cytokines expression, but not with osteogenic differentiation cytokines expression. 18F-NaF PET/CT imaging may provide a powerful tool for detecting high-risk coronary plaque and could improve the risk stratification of CAD patients.

Metformin confers longitudinal cardiac protection by preserving mitochondrial homeostasis following myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.

PURPOSE: Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is associated with systemic oxidative stress, cardiac mitochondrial homeostasis, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Metformin has been recognized to attenuate cardiomyocyte apoptosis. However, the longitudinal effects and pathomechanism of metformin on the regulation of myocardial mitohormesis following I/R treatment remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal effects and mechanism of metformin in regulating cardiac mitochondrial homeostasis by serial imaging with the 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO)-targeted positron emission tomography (PET) tracer 18F-FDPA. METHODS: Myocardial I/R injury was established in Sprague-Dawley rats, which were treated with or without metformin (150 mg/kg per day). Serial gated 18F-FDG and 18F-FDPA PET imaging were performed at 1, 4, and 8 weeks after surgery, followed by analysis of ventricular remodelling and cardiac mitochondrial homeostasis. The correlation between Hsp60 and 18F-FDPA uptake was analyzed. After PET imaging, the activity of antioxidant enzymes, immunostaining, and western blot analysis were performed to analyze the spatio-temporal effects and pathomechanism of metformin for cardiac protection after myocardial I/R injury. RESULTS: Oxidative stress and apoptosis increased 1 week after myocardial I/R injury (before significant progression of ventricular remodelling). TSPO expression was correlated with Hsp60 expression and was co-localized with inflammatory CD68+ macrophages in the infarct area, and TSPO uptake was associated with an upregulation of AMPK-p/AMPK and a downregulation of Bcl-2/Bax. However, these effects were reversed with metformin treatment. Eight weeks after myocardial I/R injury (representing the advanced stage of heart failure), 18F-FDPA uptake in myocardial cells in the distal non-infarct area increased without CD68+ expression, whereas the activity decreased with metformin treatment. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results show that a prolonged metformin treatment has pleiotropic protective effects against myocardial I/R injury associated with a regional and temporal dynamic balance between mitochondrial homeostasis and cardiac outcome, which were assessed by TSPO-targeted imaging during cardiac remodelling.

Transient cardioprotective effects of remote ischemic postconditioning on non-reperfused myocardial infarction: longitudinal evaluation study in pigs.

BACKGROUND: Remote ischemic postconditioning (RIPostC) has recently emerged as a potential novel therapeutic strategy to achieve protection against acute myocardial infarction (AMI) injury. We aimed to evaluate the longitudinal cardioprotective effects of RIPostC on AMI using 99mTc-MIBI SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) and gated 18F-FDG PET (GPET) in pigs. METHODS: MI was induced in 12 Chinese pigs. RIPostC was conducted by four 5 min cycles of blood pressure cuff inflation applied to the lower limb immediately after AMI. MPI and GPET were performed longitudinally at baseline, 3rd, 14th, 28th, and 56th days after AMI. Total perfusion defect (TPD), hibernating myocardium (HM), scar, left ventricular (LV) remodeling (End diastolic volume, EDV), and bone marrow (BM) metabolic activity were analyzed, and inflammation biomarkers were measured. RESULTS: In outcome evaluation, there was a significant attenuation in TPD (Δ value, at 14th, 28th and 56th days), HM (Δ value, at 14th, 56th days) and Scar (Δ value, at 14th, 28th days) in the RIPostC group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, RIPostC attenuated LV enlargement (ΔEDV, at 14th day) (P < 0.05) in comparison to controls. BM 18F-FDG uptake activity in the RIPostC group was lower than the control group (P < 0.05) at the 3rd day after AMI. There was a non-statistically significant trend of decreased MMP-2 levels in the RIPostC group post-AMI (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: RIPostC presented the longitudinal cardioprotective effects by preserving myocardial viability, reducing infarct size, attenuating LV remodeling at early stage post-AMI, and may also have an anti-inflammatory effect at the acute phase.

Automated synthesis and preliminary evaluation of [18F]FDPA for cardiac inflammation imaging in rats after myocardial infarction.

A translocator protein 18 kDa targeted radiotracer, N,N-diethyl-2-(2-(4-[18F]fluorophenyl)-5,7-dimethylpyrazolo[1,5-a] pyrimidin-3-yl) acetamide ([18F]FDPA), was automated synthetized and evaluated for cardiac inflammation imaging. Various reaction conditions for an automated synthesis were systematically optimized. MicroPET/CT imaging were performed on normal rats and rats with myocardial infarction (MI). Normalized SUV ratios of [18F]FDPA to [13N]NH3 (NSRs) in different regions were calculated to normalize the uptake of [18F]FDPA to perfusion. The amount of TBAOMs and the volume/proportion of water were crucial for synthesis. After optimization, the total synthesis time was 68 min. The non-decay corrected radiochemical yields (RCYs) and molar activities were 19.9 ± 1.7% and 169.7 ± 46.5 GBq/µmol, respectively. In normal rats, [18F]FDPA showed a high and stable cardiac uptake and fast clearance from other organs. In MI rats, NSRs in the peri-infarct and infarct regions, which were infiltrated with massive inflammatory cells revealed by pathology, were higher than that in the remote region (1.20 ± 0.01 and 1.08 ± 0.10 vs. 0.89 ± 0.05, respectively). [18F]FDPA was automated synthesized with high RCYs and molar activities. It showed a high uptake in inflammation regions and offered a wide time window for cardiac imaging, indicating it could be a potential cardiac inflammation imaging agent.

Research Progress on 18F-Labeled Agents for Imaging of Myocardial Perfusion with Positron Emission Tomography.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death in the world. Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) plays a significant role in non-invasive diagnosis and prognosis of CAD. However, neither single-photon emission computed tomography nor positron emission tomography clinical MPI agents can absolutely satisfy the demands of clinical practice. In the past decades, tremendous developments happened in the field of 18F-labeled MPI tracers. This review summarizes the current state of 18F-labeled MPI tracers, basic research data of those tracers, and the future direction of MPI tracer research.

Synthesis and Evaluation of (18)F-labeled Pyridaben Analogues for Myocardial Perfusion Imaging in Mice, Rats and Chinese mini-swine.

This study reports three novel (18)F-labeled pyridaben analogues for potential myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). Three precursors and the corresponding nonradioactive compounds were synthesized and characterized. The radiolabeled tracers were obtained by substituting tosyl with (18)F. The total radiosynthesis time of these tracers was 70-90 min. Typical decay-corrected radiochemical yields were 47-58%, with high radiochemical purities (>98%). Tracers were evaluated as MPI agents in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo. In the mouse biodistribution study, all three radiotracers showed high initial heart uptake (34-54% ID/g at 2 min after injection) and fast liver clearance. In the microPET imaging study, [(18)F]Fmpp2 produced heart images with good quality in both mice and rats. In the whole-body PET/CT images of mini-swine, [(18)F]Fmpp2 showed excellent initial heart standardized uptake value (SUV) (7.12 at 5 min p.i.) and good retention (5.75 at 120 min p.i.). The heart/liver SUV ratios were 4.12, 5.42 and 5.99 at 30, 60 and 120 min after injection, respectively. The favorable biological properties of [(18)F]Fmpp2 suggest that it is worth further investigation as a potential MPI agent.

Synthesis and bioevaluation of 4-chloro-2-tert-butyl-5-[2-[[1-[2-[(18) F]fluroethyl]-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]methyl]phenylmethoxy]-3(2H)-pyridazinone as potential myocardial perfusion imaging agent with PET.

This study reports the synthesis and characterization of 4-chloro-2-tert-butyl-5-[2-[[1-[2-[(18) F]fluroethyl]-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]methyl]phenylmethoxy]-3(2H)-pyridazinone ([(18) F]Fmp2) for myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). The tosylate precursor and non-radioactive compound [(19) F]Fmp2 were synthesized and characterized by infrared, (1) H-NMR, (13) C-NMR, and mass spectra (MS). The radiotracer [(18) F]Fmp2 was obtained by one-step nucleophilic substitution of tosyl with (18) F, and evaluated as an MPI agent in vitro and in vivo. Starting from [(18) F]KF/K222 solution, the typical decay-corrected radiochemical yield (RCY) was 38 ± 8.8% with high radiochemical purity (>98%). The specific activity was calculated as 10 GBq/µmol at the end of synthesis determined by HPLC analysis. In the mice biodistribution, [(18) F]Fmp2 showed very high initial heart uptake (53.35 ± 5.47 %ID/g at 2 min after injection) and remarkable retention. The heart/liver, heart/lung, and heart/blood ratios were 7.98, 8.20, and 53.13, respectively at 2 min post-injection. In the Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging study of Chinese mini-swine, the standardized uptake value of the liver decreased modestly during the 2 h post-injection, while the heart uptake and heart/liver ratios continued to increase with time. [(18) F]Fmp2 exhibited good stability, high heart uptake and low lung uptake in mice and Chinese mini-swine. It may be worthy of further modification to improve liver clearance for MPI in the future.

Synthesis and Bio-Evaluation of New (18) F-Labeled Pyridaben Analogs with Improved Stability for Myocardial Perfusion Imaging in Mice.

To improve the stability of (18) F-labeled pyridaben analogs for myocardial perfusion imaging, three new analogs of pyridaben ([(18) F]FPTP2, [(18) F]FPTP-P2, and [(18) F]FPTP-P3) were synthesized with 'side chain' modifications. The radiolabeled tracers and corresponding non-radioactive compounds were obtained by substituting tosyl group with (18/19) F. The effect of structure modification on myocardial targeting and physicochemical properties of new tracers were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The total radiosynthesis time of these tracers was approximately 70-90 min with high decay-corrected radiochemical yields (36-65%) and good radiochemical purity (> 98%). These lipophilic tracers exhibited obvious improved stability in water. Studies of their biodistribution in normal Kunming mice demonstrated that [(18) F]FPTP2 exhibited very high initial heart uptake (39.70 ± 2.81 %ID/g at 2 min after injection) and low background in the liver, blood, and soft tissues. The heart-to-liver, heart-to-lung, and heart-to-blood ratios were 3.59, 19.34, and 67.34 at 15 min postinjection, respectively. Favorable myocardial targeting property and remarkable improvement of stability of [(18) F]FPTP2 suggest that the substitution of the phenyl 'sidechain' with other non-phenyl rings has no effect on the myocardial targeting property of (18) F-labeled pyridaben analogs.

Highly efficient one-pot labeling of new phosphonium cations with fluorine-18 as potential PET agents for myocardial perfusion imaging.

Lipophilic cations such as phosphonium salts can accumulate in mitochondria of heart in response to the negative inner-transmembrane potentials. Two phosphonium salts [(18)F]FMBTP and [(18)F]mFMBTP were prepared and evaluated as potential myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) agents in this study. The cations were radiolabeled via a simplified one-pot method starting from [(18)F]fluoride and followed by physicochemical property tests, in vitro cellular uptake assay, ex vivo mouse biodistribution, and in vivo rat microPET imaging. The total radiosynthesis time was less than 60 min including HPLC purification. The [(18)F] labeled compounds were obtained in high radiolabeling yield (∼50%) and good radiochemical purity (>99%). Both compounds were electropositive, and their log P values at pH 7.4 were 1.16 ± 0.003 (n = 3) and 1.05 ± 0.01 (n = 3), respectively. Both [(18)F]FMBTP and [(18)F]mFMBTP had high heart uptake (25.24 ± 2.97% ID/g and 31.02 ± 0.33% ID/g at 5 min postinjection (p.i.)) in mice with good retention (28.99 ± 3.54% ID/g and 26.82 ± 3.46% ID/g at 120 min p.i.). From the PET images in rats, the cations exhibited high myocardium uptake and fast clearance from liver and small intestine to give high-contrast images across all time points. These phosphonium cations were radiosynthesized via a highly efficient one-pot procedure for potential MPI offering high heart accumulation and rapid nontarget clearance.

Synthesis and 18F-labeling of the analogues of Omecamtiv Mecarbil as a potential cardiac myosin imaging agent with PET.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac myosin is a potential molecular target for heart failure imaging since its changes can be used to assess the function of heart. In this study, two analogues of Omecamtiv Mecarbil, which is the first selective activator of cardiac myosin, were synthesized and radio-labeled with (18)F. Then the radio-compounds were evaluated as potential cardiac myosin imaging agent. METHODS: The labeling precursor and the nonradioactive compounds were synthesized and characterized by IR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR and MS analysis. By substituting bromo of precursors with (18)F, the radiolabeled compounds [(18)F]8 and [(18)F]10 were prepared and further evaluated for their in vitro physicochemical properties, stabilities, protein binding assay and ex vivo biodistribution. RESULTS: Starting with [(18)F]F(-) Kryptofix 2.2.2./K2CO3 solution, the total reaction time for [(18)F]8 and [(18)F]10 was about 40 min respectively, with final high-performance liquid chromatography purification included. Typical decay-corrected radiochemical yield stayed at 12.47% ± 3.30% (n=8), the radiochemical purity, 98% or more. Their specific activity was estimated as 50 GBq/µmol. Both [(18)F]8 and [(18)F]10 could be stable after incubation in water at room temperature and in serum or binding buffer at 37 °C for 3h. Biodistribution in normal mice showed that both [(18)F]8 and [(18)F]10 have good heart uptake at 2 min post-injection time. Compound [(18)F]10 has better heart retention and higher heart to background ratios than those of [(18)F]8. In vitro protein binding assay demonstrates that [(18)F]10 may have high affinity with myosin from bovine heart. CONCLUSION: [(18)F]8 and [(18)F]10 were synthesized with good radiochemical yield and high radiochemical purity (>98%). One of the compounds ([(18)F]10) has higher bovine heart myosin binding affinity and better heart/liver ratio. It will be further evaluated as a potent cardiac myosin imaging agent in normal and systolic heart failure model with positron emission tomography in the future.

2-tert-Butyl-4-chloro-5-[4-(2-fluoro-eth-oxy)benz-yloxy]pyridazin-3(2H)-one.

In the title compound, C(17)H(20)ClFN(2)O(3), the dihedral angle between the pyridazine and benzene rings is 41.37 (10)°. In the crystal, there are no significant intermolecular interactions present. The terminal -CH(2)F group is disordered over two sets of sites with an occupancy ratio of 0.737 (2):0.263 (2).

Synthesis and preliminary evaluation of 18F-labeled pyridaben analogues for myocardial perfusion imaging with PET.

UNLABELLED: In this study the (18)F-labeled pyridaben analogs 2-tertbutyl-4-chloro-5-(4-(2-(18)F-fluoroethoxy))benzyloxy-2H-pyridazin-3-one ((18)F-FP1OP) and 2-tertbutyl-4-chloro-5-(4-(2-(2-(2-(18)F-fluoroethoxy)ethoxy)ethoxy))benzyloxy-2H-pyridazin-3-one ((18)F-FP3OP) were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated as potential myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) agents with PET. METHODS: The tosylate labeling precursors of 2-tert-butyl-4-chloro-5-(4-(2-tosyloxy-ethoxy))-benzyloxy-2H-pyridazin-3-one (OTs-P1OP), 2-tert-butyl-4-chloro-5-(4-(2-(2-(2-tosyloxy-ethoxy)ethoxy)ethoxy))-benzyloxy-2H-pyridazin-3-one (OTs-P3OP), and the corresponding nonradioactive compounds ((19)F-FP1OP and (19)F-FP3OP) were synthesized and characterized by infrared, (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance, (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectrometry analysis. (18)F-FP1OP and (18)F-FP3OP were obtained by 1-step nucleophilic substitution of tosyl with (18)F and evaluated as MPI agents in vitro (physicochemical properties, stability), ex vivo (autoradiography), and in vivo (toxicity and biodistribution in normal mice; cardiac PET in healthy Chinese mini swine and in acute myocardial infarction and chronic myocardial ischemia models). RESULTS: The total radiosynthesis time of both tracers, including final high-pressure liquid chromatography purification, was about 70-90 min. Typical decay-corrected radiochemical yields were about 50%, and the radiochemical purities were more than 98% after purification. (18)F-FP1OP had lower hydrophilicity and higher water stability than that of (18)F-FP3OP. In biodistribution studies, both (18)F-FP1OP and (18)F-FP3OP had high heart uptake (31.13 ± 6.24 and 31.10 ± 3.72 percentage injected dose per gram at 2 min after injection, respectively) and high heart-to-liver, heart-to-lung, and heart-to-blood ratios at all time points after injection. Further autoradiography evaluation of (18)F-FP1OP showed that the heart uptake could be blocked effectively by rotenone or nonradioactive (19)F-FP1OP. Clear cardiac PET images of (18)F-FP1OP were obtained in healthy Chinese mini swine at 2, 15, 30, 60, and 120 min after injection, and the uptake of perfusion deficit areas was much lower than in normal tissue in both acute myocardial infarction and chronic myocardial ischemia models. CONCLUSION: The (18)F-labeled pyridaben analogs reported in this study have high heart uptake and low background uptake in both the mouse model and the Chinese mini swine model. The tracer with the shorter radiolabeling side chain ((18)F-FP1OP) has better stability, faster clearance from the major organs, and a higher heart-to-liver ratio than the other tracer ((18)F-FP3OP). On the basis of the promising biologic properties, this mitochondrial complex I-targeted tracer ((18)F-FP1OP) is worthy to be developed as an MPI agent and to be compared with the other PET MPI agents in the future.

Copolymer-based hepatocyte asialoglycoprotein receptor targeting agent for SPECT.

UNLABELLED: Poly(vinylbenzyl-O-ß-D-galactopyranosyl-D-gluconamide) (PVLA) can be specifically internalized by hepatocytes via the asialoglycoprotein receptor. In this study, we synthesized and characterized galactose-carrying copolymers with hydrazinonicotinamide chains as bifunctional groups to radiolabel PVLA with (99m)Tc for SPECT targeting specific hepatocytes. METHODS: Poly(N-p-vinylbenzyl-[O-ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-D-gluconamide]-co-N-p-vinylbenzyl-6-[2-(4-dimethylamino)benzaldehydehydrazono]nicotinate) (P(VLA-co-VNI)) was first prepared via copolymerization of N-p-vinylbenzyl-O-ß-D-galactopyranosyl-D-gluconamide with 5% (mol) of N-p-vinylbenzyl-(4-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde hydrazono)nicotinamide. The copolymer was labeled with (99m)Tc using tricine as a coligand. Then (99m)Tc[P(VLA-co-VNI)](tricine)(2) was evaluated by in vivo metabolic stability and biodistribution in normal mice. SPECT was performed in normal New Zealand White rabbits and rabbits with liver cancer. RESULTS: (99m)Tc[P(VLA-co-VNI)](tricine)(2) was prepared in high labeling yield (>95%) and radiochemical purity (>99%), with good stability. The results of biodistribution in mice demonstrated that the liver uptake was 125.33 ± 10.99 percentage injected dose per gram at 10 min after injection and could be blocked significantly by preinjecting free neogalactosylalbumin or P(VLA-co-VNI). SPECT images with high quality were obtained at 15, 30, 60, and 120 min after injection of the radiotracer. Significant radioactivity defect was observed in the liver cancer model. CONCLUSION: The bifunctional coupling agent hydrazinonicotinamide was introduced to PVLA via copolymerization and labeled with (99m)Tc. The promising biologic properties of (99m)Tc[P(VLA-co-VNI)](tricine)(2) afford potential applications for the assessment of hepatocyte function in the future.

Fluorine-18 labeled rare-earth nanoparticles for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of sentinel lymph node.

Rare-earth-based nanoparticles have attracted increasing attention for their unique optical and magnetic properties. However, their application in bioimaging has been limited to photoluminescence bioimaging and magnetic resonance imaging. To facilitate their use in other bioimaging techniques, we developed a simple, rapid, efficient and general synthesis strategy for (18)F-labeled rare-earth nanoparticles through a facile inorganic reaction between rare-earth cations and fluoride ions. The (18)F-labeling process based on rare-earth elements was achieved efficiently in water at room temperature with an (18)F-labeling yield of >90% and completed within 5 min, with only simple purification by aqueous washing and centrifugation, and without the use of organic agents. The effectiveness of (18)F-labeled rare-earth nanoparticles was further evaluated by positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of their in vivo distribution and application in lymph monitoring. In addition, this strategy is proposed for the creation of a dual-model bioimaging technique, combining upconversion luminescence bioimaging and PET imaging.

Fluorine-18 labeled galactosylated chitosan for asialoglycoprotein-receptor-mediated hepatocyte imaging.

Galactosylated chitosan (GC) was prepared by reacting lactobionic acid with water-soluble chitosan. GC was labeled with fluorine-18 by conjugation with N-succinimidyl-4-(18)F-fluorobenzoate ([(18)F]SFB) under a slightly basic condition. After rapid purification with HiTrap desalting column, [(18)F]FB-GC was obtained with high radiochemical purity (>97%) determined by radio-HPLC. The total reaction time for [(18)F]FB-GC was about 150 min. Typical decay-corrected radiochemical yield was about 4-8%. Ex vivo biodistribution in normal mice showed that [(18)F]FB-GC had moderate activity accumulation in liver with very good retention (11.13+/-1.63, 10.97+/-1.90 and 10.77+/-0.95%ID/g at 10, 60, 120 min after injection, respectively). The other tissues except kidney showed relative low radioactivity accumulation. The high liver/background ratio affords promising biological properties to get clear images. The specific binding of this radiotracer to the ASGP receptor was confirmed by blocking experiment in mice. Compared with the non-blocking group the hepatic uptake of [(18)F]FB-GC significantly declined in all selected time points. The better liver retention properties of [(18)F]FB-GC than that of albumin based imaging agents may improve imaging quality and simplify pharmacokinetic model of liver function in the future application with PET imaging.

Preparation and biodistribution of [18F]FP2OP as myocardial perfusion imaging agent for positron emission tomography.

UNLABELLED: Myocardial extractions of pyridaben, a mitochondrial complex I (MC-I) inhibitor, is well correlated with blood flow. Based on the synthesis and characterization of pyridaben analogue 2-tert-butyl-5-[2-(2-[(18)F]fluroethoxy)ethoxy]benzyloxy]-4-chloro-2H-pyridazin-3-one ([(18)F]FP2OP), this study assessed its potential to be developed as myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) agent. METHODS: The tosylate labeling precursor 2-(2-(4-(tert-butyl-5-chloro-6-oxo-1,6-dihydro-pyridazin-4-yloxymethyl)benzyloxy)ethoxy)ethyl ester (OTs-P2OP) and the nonradioactive 2-tert-butyl-5-[2-(2-[(19)F]fluroethoxy)ethoxy]benzyloxy]-4-chloro-2H-pyridazin-3-one ([(19)F]FP2OP) were synthesized and characterized by IR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR and MS analysis. By substituting tosyl of precursor OTs-P2OP with (18)F, the radiolabeled complex [(18)F]FP2OP was prepared and further evaluated for its in vitro physicochemical properties, in vivo biodistribution, the metabolic stability in mice, ex vivo autoradiography and cardiac PET/CT imaging. RESULTS: Starting with [(18)F]F(-) Kryptofix 2.2.2./K(2)CO(3) solution, the total reaction time for [(18)F]FP2OP was about 100 min, with final high-performance liquid chromatography purification included. Typical decay-corrected radiochemical yield stayed at 41+/-5.3%, the radiochemical purity, 98% or more. Biodistribution in mice showed that the heart uptake of [(18)F]FP2OP was 41.90+/-4.52%ID/g at 2 min post-injection time, when the ratio of heart/liver, heart/lung and heart/blood reached 6.83, 9.49 and 35.74, respectively. Lipophilic molecule was further produced by metabolized [(18)F]FP2OP in blood and urine at 30 min. Ex vivo autoradiography demonstrates that [(18)F]FP2OP may have high affinity with MC-I and that can be blocked by [(19)F]FP2OP or rotenone (a known MC-I inhibitor). Cardiac PET images were obtained in a Chinese mini-swine at 5, 15, 30 and 60 min post-injection time with high quality. CONCLUSION: [(18)F]FP2OP was synthesized with high radiochemical yield. The promising biological properties of [(18)F]FP2OP suggest high potential as MPI agent for positron emission tomography in the future.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of (99m)Tc-DMP-NGA as a novel hepatic asialoglycoprotein receptor imaging agent.

A novel bifunctional coupling agents-biomolecular compound DMP-NGA was prepared by coupling the SATP with galactosyl-neoglycoalbumin (NGA). The DMP-NGA was labeled with technetium-99m, and the radiochemical purity in excess of 98% after purified with HPLC. In vivo biodistribution showed that (99m)Tc-DMP-NGA had very high initial liver uptake with good retention. The liver accumulated 99.35+/-9.77%, 74.25+/-3.03%, 52.47+/-7.58% of the injected dose per gram at 5, 30 and 120min after injection, respectively. It had relative higher initial liver uptake and much lower blood uptake than that of (99m)Tc-GSA. The liver/blood ratio reached 83.4 at 30min post-injection, while the ratio of liver/kidney was 14.4. The uptakes in other organs in the abdomen were also slightly low. In addition, the hepatic uptake of (99m)Tc-DMP-NGA was blocked by preinjecting free GSA as blocking agent. The result indicates that (99m)Tc-DMP-NGA has specific binding to ASGP receptor. Images acquired with Kodak In-Vivo Imaging System FX Pro showed significant difference before and after inhibition. The promising biological properties of (99m)Tc-DMP-NGA afford potential applications in liver receptor imaging for assessment of hepatocyte function.

Fluorine-18 labeled galactosyl-neoglycoalbumin for imaging the hepatic asialoglycoprotein receptor.

UNLABELLED: Asialoglycoprotein receptors (ASGP-R) are well known to exist on the mammalian liver, situate on the surface of hepatocyte membrane. Quantitative imaging of asialoglycoprotein receptors could estimate the function of the liver. (99m)Tc labeled galactosyl-neoglycoalbumin (NGA) and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid galactosyl human serum albumin (GSA) have been developed for SPECT imaging and clinical used in Japan. In this study, we labeled the NGA with (18)F to get a novel PET tracer [(18)F]FNGA and evaluated its hepatic-targeting efficacy and pharmacokinetics. METHODS: NGA was labeled with (18)F by conjugation with N-succinimidyl-4-(18)F-fluorobenzoate ([(18)F]SFB) under a slightly basic condition. The in vivo metabolic stability of [(18)F]FNGA was determined. Ex vivo biodistribution of [(18)F]FNGA and blocking experiment was investigated in normal mice. MicroPET images were acquired in rat with and without block at 5 min and 15 min after injection of the radiotracer (3.7MBq/rat), respectively. RESULTS: Starting with (18)F(-) Kryptofix 2.2.2./K(2)CO(3) solution, the total reaction time for [(18)F]FNGA is about 150 min. Typical decay-corrected radiochemical yield is about 8-10%. After rapid purified with HiTrap desalting column, the radiochemical purity of [(18)F]FNGA was more than 99% determined by radio-HPLC. [(18)F]FNGA was metabolized to produce [(18)F]FB-Lys in urine at 30 min. Ex vivo biodistribution in mice showed that the liver accumulated 79.18+/-7.17% and 13.85+/-3.10% of the injected dose per gram at 5 and 30 min after injection, respectively. In addition, the hepatic uptake of [(18)F]FNGA was blocked by pre-injecting free NGA as blocking agent (18.55+/-2.63%ID/g at 5 min pi), indicating the specific binding to ASGP receptor. MicroPET study obtained quality images of rat at 5 and 15 min post-injection. CONCLUSION: The novel ASGP receptor tracer [(18)F]FNGA was synthesized with high radiochemical yield. The promising biological properties of [(18)F]FNGA afford potential applications for assessment of hepatocyte function in the future. It may provide quantitative information and better resolution which particularly help to the liver surgery.