Lysine metabolism in the human and the monkey: Demonstration of pipecolic acid formation in the brain and other organs

Metabolism ofl-[U-¹⁴C]lysine was studied in the human autopsy tissues and the intact monkeys through intracerebroventricular and intravenous injections. The human tissues were more active in the metabolism ofl-[¹⁴C]lysine to [¹⁴C]pipecolate than the rat tissues previously reported. This metabolism was equally active in the phosphate (pH 7) and the glycyl-glycine (pH 8.6) buffers with the brain and the kidney having higher activity than the liver. Besides [¹⁴C]pipecolate, traces of [¹⁴C]saccharopine and -[¹⁴C]aminoadipate were also detected in the liver incubation. Twenty-four hr after intraventricular injection ofl-[¹⁴C]lysine to the monkey, substantial labeling of pipecolate and -aminoadipate was observed in the brain and spinal cord, with the kidney, liver and the plasma having much reduced levels. Radioactivity levels of these two compounds were found low in the organs and plasma of the intravenously injected monkey. The urine of both monkeys contained only traces of [¹⁴C]pipecolate, even though it contained high levels ofl-[¹⁴C]lysine and -[¹⁴C]aminoadipate. It was concluded thatl-lysine is actively metabolized to pipecolate and -aminoadipate in the human and the monkey, that this reaction is most active in the brain whenl-lysine is intraventricularly administered, and that in contrast to the rat, the monkey may have an effective renal reabsorption for pipecolate which is similar to the human.     

In Vivo Differences between Two Optical Isomers of Radioiodinated o-iodo-trans-decalinvesamicol for Use as a Radioligand for the Vesicular Acetylcholine Transporter

Purpose

To develop a superior VAChT imaging probe for SPECT, radiolabeled (-)-OIDV and (+)-OIDV were isolated and investigated for differences in their binding affinity and selectivity to VAChT, as well as their in vivo activities.

Procedures

Radioiodinated o-iodo-trans-decalinvesamicol ([¹²⁵I]OIDV) has a high binding affinity for vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) both in vitro and in vivo. Racemic [¹²⁵I]OIDV was separated into its two optical isomers (-)-[¹²⁵I]OIDV and (+)-[¹²⁵I]OIDV by HPLC. To investigate VAChT binding affinity (Ki) of two OIDV isomers, in vitro binding assays were performed. In vivo biodistribution study of each [¹²⁵I]OIDV isomer in blood, brain regions and major organs of rats was performed at 2,30 and 60 min post-injection. In vivo blocking study were performed to reveal the binding selectivity of two [¹²⁵I]OIDV isomers to VAChT in vivo. Ex vivo autoradiography were performed to reveal the regional brain distribution of two [¹²⁵I]OIDV isomers and (-)-[¹²³I]OIDV for SPECT at 60 min postinjection.

Results

VAChT binding affinity (Ki) of (-)-[¹²⁵I]OIDV and (+)-[¹²⁵I]OIDV was 22.1 nM and 79.0 nM, respectively. At 2 min post-injection, accumulation of (-)-[¹²⁵I]OIDV was the same as that of (+)-[¹²⁵I]OIDV. However, (+)-[¹²⁵I]OIDV clearance from the brain was faster than (-)-[¹²⁵I]OIDV. At 30 min post-injection, accumulation of (-)-[¹²⁵I]OIDV (0.62 ± 0.10%ID/g) was higher than (+)-[¹²⁵I]OIDV (0.46 ± 0.07%ID/g) in the cortex. Inhibition of OIDV binding showed that (-)-[¹²⁵I]OIDV was selectively accumulated in regions known to express VAChT in the rat brain, and ex vivo autoradiography further confirmed these results showing similar accumulation of (-)-[¹²⁵I]OIDV in these regions. Furthermore, (-)-[¹²³I]OIDV for SPECT showed the same regional brain distribution as (-)-[¹²⁵I]OIDV.

Conclusion

These results suggest that radioiodinated (-)-OIDV may be a potentially useful tool for studying presynaptic cholinergic neurons in the brain.     

Pharmacokinetics of reshaped MAb 425 in three animal species

The murine monoclonal antibody (MAb) 425 (mMAb 425) directed against the human EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) was reshaped (rMAb 425) in order to improve its therapeutical potential in humans. The pharmacokinetic properties of [¹²⁵I]-mMAb and [¹²⁵I]-rMAb 425 were compared in three animal species. Whereas the clearance curves of both antibodies decreased biphasically in rats and nude mice bearing human mammary carcinoma, a monophasic decline was observed in Cynomolgus monkeys. Plasma elimination half-lives of murine and reshaped MAb 425 were similar, short in the monkey (26 h for mMAb 425 and 31 h for rMAb 425) and long in rats (240 h for mMAb 425 and 225 h for rMAb 425). In xenografted nude mice however, the half-life of mMAb 425 (203 h) was about twice as long as that of rMAb 425 (124 h). The half-lives of intact rMAb 425 in the three species obtained by ELISA differed at most by a factor of two from those obtained by radioactivity measurements. Biodistribution studies of [¹²⁵I]-rMAb 425 revealed a tumor/blood ratio of 1.2 on d 1 and 5.1 on d 18, respectively. Fifty-four and thirty-eight percent of the radioactive dose were excreted with urine in nude mice (within 12 d) and rats (within 11 d), respectively. Specific localization of [¹²⁵I]-rMAb 425 in human mammary carcinoma xenografted to nude mice was demonstrated.     

Taurine in Developing Rhesus Monkey Brain

The concentrations of taurine in all regions of fetal and neonatal rhesus monkey brain are greater than in the same regions of adult monkey brain. [³⁵S]Taurine injected into pregnant rhesus monkeys is accumulated by the fetus. This process occurs rapidly in most tissues, but occurs slowly in fetal brain. Neonatal rhesus monkey brain also accumulates [³⁵S]taurine slowly compared with other tissues after i.v. injection, and continues to accumulate [³⁵S]taurine for a long period of time. These results suggest that the accumulation and exchange of taurine in developing rhesus monkey brain is slow, as found in neonatal rats, and that if there is a period of development at which rapid exchange of brain taurine occurs in the rhesus monkey, it is before the rapid brain growth spurt.     

In vitro and in vivo D2-dopamine receptor binding with [123I]S(−)iodobenzamide ([123I]IBZM) in rat and human brain

As a promising dopamine D2-receptor imaging agent for single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT), [¹²³I](S)-(−)-2-hydroxy-3-iodo-6-methoxy-N [(1-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)methyl]benzamide ([¹²³I]IBZM) has recently been synthesized in a modified way along with its precursor, S(−)BZM, and the stereoisomer R(+)BZM. The present study applied this new product to investigate in vitro and in vivo D2-receptor binding in rat brain and in postmortem human brain. In vitro saturation binding curves with [¹²³I]IBZM for rat crude striatal membrane preparations yielded an affinity constant (K_d) of 0.28 nM confirming data in the literature. Displacement curves revealed an order of increasing potency as follows: R(+)BZM < S(−)sulpiride = < S(−)BZM < S(−)IBZM. A similar order was obtained when [³H]spiperone was used as ligand. For human putamen and caudate nucleus membranes slightly higher K_d values (0.49 nM) were obtained. Rank order of displacing potency for the various drugs was similar to that found in the rat preparations. In vivo uptake of [¹²³I]IBZM in rat brain following injection of 50 μCi (12–16pmol) in the tail vein revealed an increase in the striatum-to-cerebellum ratio from 1.5 at 5 min to 6.9 at 2 h. The olfactory tubercle-to-cerebellum ratio was also raised from 1.6 to 3.3. Other brain regions tested failed to show statistically significant enhancements. Coinjection of 40 nmol S(-)IBZM, 4μ mol S(−)BZM or 200 nmol haloperidol displaced [¹²³I]IBMZ when tested at 90 min. The use of 4μ mol R(+)BZM resulted in minor displacement only, demonstrating that stereospecificity of the displacement was present in vivo and in vitro. Displacements were also observed in substantia nigra and pons-medulla oblongata, but not in hippocampus or frontal and occipital cortex. The data provide the required background needed in order to initiate in vivo binding studies for D2-receptors in basal ganglia of human patients using [¹²³I]IBZM in SPECT analyses.     

Residualizing and non-residualizing analogues of low-density lipoprotein as iodine-123 radiopharmaceuticals for imaging LDL catabolism

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) labeled via direct iodination or via the radioiodinated residualizing moiety tyramine-cellobiose (TC) were compared in rabbits as potential ¹²³I radiopharmaceuticals for imaging sites of LDL catabolism. The tissue deposition of ¹³¹I-TC-LDL after 24 h as determined by dissection was in the major catabolic organs (liver, adrenals, spleen), and its plasma clearance was slower in rabbits with dietary hypercholesterolemia than in normals. ¹³¹I-LDL was unsuitable as a metabolic tracer due to redistribution of catabolites and/or loss of the label before protein degradation, which resulted in little accumulation of radioactivity in catabolic organs and high thyroid uptake. The plasma clearance half-time was similar (ca 22 h) for the two compounds in normal rabbits, but was increased to about 36 h for ¹³¹I-TC-LDL and decreased to approximately 9 h for ¹³¹I-LDL in hypercholesterolemic animals. The were similar with dynamic imaging of control and hypercholesterolemic rabbits using ¹²³I-labeled analogues. ¹²³I-TC-LDL rapidly localized in the liver, with low thyroid accumulation of radioactivity. The hepatic uptake of ¹²³I-LDL was about half that of ¹²³I-TC-LDL, and thyroid sequestration of radioactivity was significant for ¹²³I-LDL but not ¹²³I-TC-LDL. These data suggest that whereas the residualizing ¹²³I-TC-LDL has a pharmacokinetic profile representative of lipoprotein metabolism, the biodistribution of the activity from injected ¹²³I-LDL is complicated by processes other than protein degradation. The results are discussed with regard to nuclear medicine applications in evaluating lipoprotein catabolism in man.     

Radiolabelled Pyrimidine Nucleosides to Monitor the Expression of HSV-1 Thymidine Kinase in Gene Therapy

Abstract

Selective radiolabelling and imaging of transduced HSV tk expressing cells was studied using [¹²³I]IVFRU, [¹²⁵I]FIRU and [¹²⁵I]FIAU. Although all three radionucleosides accumulated in the KBALB-STK transduced murine tumour line in vitro and in vivo, [¹²⁵I]FIRU provided optimal performance in terms of selectivity for HSV tk expressing cells and % of injected dose accumulating in the tumor.     

Lung scintigraphy with [123I]IMP in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis

Lung scintigraphy using N-isopropyl-p-[¹²³I]iodoamphetamine (IMP) was performed on 26 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Early (5 min after injection) and late images (4 h after injection) were obtained with a large-field γ-camera equipped with a digital computer. Lung scintigraphy using [^99mTc]MAA (MAA) was also done. Although early IMP images showed the same findings as [^99mTc]MAA images, a discrepancy between delayed IMP images and [^99mTc]MAA images was seen in some patients. Increment of activities seen in late images was demonstrated in most patients whose chest x-ray findings included exudative inflammatory changes. Uptake and clearance of IMP was considered to be affected by the active phase of pulmonary tuberculosis.     

In vivo evaluation of [18F]FECIMBI-36, an agonist 5-HT2A/2C receptor PET radioligand in nonhuman primate

We recently reported the radiosynthesis and in vitro evaluation of [¹⁸F]-2-(4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-(2-fluoroethoxy)benzyl)ethanamine, ([¹⁸F]FECIMBI-36) or ([¹⁸F]1), an agonist radioligand for 5HT_2A/2C receptors in postmortem samples of human brain. Herein we describe the in vivo evaluation of [¹⁸F]FECIMBI-36 in vervet/African green monkeys by PET imaging. PET images show that [¹⁸F]FECIMBI-36 penetrates the blood-brain barrier and a low retention of radioactivity is observed in monkey brain. Although the time activity curves indicate a somehow heterogeneous distribution of the radioligand in the brain, the low level of [¹⁸F]FECIMBI-36 in brain may limit the use of this tracer for quantification of 5-HT_2A/2C receptors by PET.     

4-[123I]Iodospiperone as a ligand for dopamine DA receptors: In vitro and in vivo experiments in a rat model

Radioiodinated spiperone is of interest for dopamine (DA) receptor studies in the living human brain by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Stimulated by data obtained with [¹¹C]-N-methyl-spiperone we synthesized 4-[¹²³I]iodospiperone and investigated the in vitro binding characteristics of this ligand to the striatal membrane of the rat and the in vivo distribution over various rat brain regions. The in vitro binding experiments showed that this radioligand displays about 10 times less affinity for the DA receptor than spiperone and specific binding, as shown with [³H]spiperone, was not observed. Displacement by butaclamol was not observed. The in vivo studies demonstrated that both 4-[¹²³I]iodospiperone and [³H]spiperone concentrate in striatal tissue, respectively, 1.9 and 3.5 times as high as in cerebellar tissue.Haloperidol pretreatment largely prevented this accumulation. In view of the obtained target-to-non-target ratios we believe, however, that this accumulation in brain areas rich in DA-receptors does not offer prospects for clinical receptor imaging with SPECT.     

Comparison of cell inactivation by Auger electrons using the two reagents 4-[123I]iodoantipyrine and [123I]NaI

The Auger electron emitter ¹²³I was examined in the form of 4-[¹²³I]iodoantipyrine and as [¹²³I]NaI for its effectiveness in killing cells of different sensitivity to photon irradiation. Micronucleus assays showed that 4-[¹²³I]iodoantipyrine is 2–3 times more effective in cell inactivation than [¹²³I]NaI. This can be attributed to the fact that antipyrine, for reason of its lipid solubility, can enter cells and can reach the nucleus, whereas [¹²³I]NaI is excluded from the cytoplasm. In the nucleus Auger decay is conceivably located on the DNA where it may invoke high-LET irradiation damage. Irradiation damage by [¹²³I]NaI is by long range Auger and internal conversion electrons and hence less densely ionising. Results of the present study demonstrate, however, that the enhancement of micronuclei frequency (MNF) seen with 4-[¹²³I]iodoantipyrine as compared to [¹²³I]NaI is similar for all cell lines and that the ratio of 4-[¹²³I]iodoantipyrine/[¹²³I]NaI MN response remains the same. Experiments with the free radical scavenger DMSO, indicated nearly identical dose reduction factors for both ¹²³I carriers. These two observations strongly suggest that the cell inactivation by 4-[¹²³I]iodoantipyrine is not by direct high-LET ionisation of DNA, but is due to an indirect effect. The indirect radiation effect of Auger decay in the nucleus could arise because 4-[¹²³I]iodoantipyrine is not incorporated into the DNA, but is only associated with chromatin where the DNA is shielded by histones. Received: 24 May 2000 / Accepted: 1 November 2000     

Comparative Plasma Lipidome between Human and Cynomolgus Monkey: Are Plasma Polar Lipids Good Biomarkers for Diabetic Monkeys?

Background

Non-human primates (NHP) are now being considered as models for investigating human metabolic diseases including diabetes. Analyses of cholesterol and triglycerides in plasma derived from NHPs can easily be achieved using methods employed in humans. Information pertaining to other lipid species in monkey plasma, however, is lacking and requires comprehensive experimental analysis.

Methodologies/Principal Findings

We examined the plasma lipidome from 16 cynomolgus monkey, Macaca fascicularis, using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC/MS). We established novel analytical approaches, which are based on a simple gradient elution, to quantify polar lipids in plasma including (i) glycerophospholipids (phosphatidylcholine, PC; phosphatidylethanolamine, PE; phosphatidylinositol, PI; phosphatidylglycerol, PG; phosphatidylserine, PS; phosphatidic acid, PA); (ii) sphingolipids (sphingomyelin, SM; ceramide, Cer; Glucocyl-ceramide, GluCer; ganglioside mannoside 3, GM3). Lipidomic analysis had revealed that the plasma of human and cynomolgus monkey were of similar compositions, with PC, SM, PE, LPC and PI constituting the major polar lipid species present. Human plasma contained significantly higher levels of plasmalogen PE species (p<0.005) and plasmalogen PC species (p<0.0005), while cynomolgus monkey had higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acyls (PUFA) in PC, PE, PS and PI. Notably, cynomolgus monkey had significantly lower levels of glycosphingolipids, including GluCer (p<0.0005) and GM₃ (p<0.0005), but higher level of Cer (p<0.0005) in plasma than human. We next investigated the biochemical alterations in blood lipids of 8 naturally occurring diabetic cynomolgus monkeys when compared with 8 healthy controls.

Conclusions

For the first time, we demonstrated that the plasma of human and cynomolgus monkey were of similar compositions, but contained different mol distribution of individual molecular species. Diabetic monkeys exhibited decreased levels of sphingolipids, which are microdomain-associated lipids and are thought to be associated with insulin sensitivity. Significant increases in PG species, which are precursors for cardiolipin biosynthesis in mitochondria, were found in fasted diabetic monkeys (n = 8).     

Assessment of [125I]WYE-230949 as a Novel Histamine H3 Receptor Radiopharmaceutical

Histamine H₃ receptor therapeutics have been proposed for several diseases such as schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Alzheimer''s disease and obesity. We set out to evaluate the novel compound, [¹²⁵I]WYE-230949, as a potential radionuclide imaging agent for the histamine H₃ receptor in brain. [¹²⁵I]WYE-230949 had a high in vitro affinity for the rat histamine H₃ receptor (K_d of 6.9 nM). The regional distribution of [¹²⁵I]WYE-230949 binding sites in rat brain, demonstrated by in vitro autoradiography, was consistent with the known distribution of the histamine H₃ receptor. Rat brain uptake of intravenously injected [¹²⁵I]WYE-230949 was low (0.11 %ID/g) and the ratio of specific: non-specific binding was less than 1.4, as determined by ex vivo autoradiography. In plasma, metabolism of [¹²⁵I]WYE-230949 into a less lipophilic species occurred, such that less than 38% of the parent compound remained 30 minutes after injection. Brain uptake and metabolism of [¹²⁵I]WYE-230949 were increased and specific binding was reduced in anaesthetised compared to conscious rats. [¹²⁵I]WYE230949 is not a potential radiotracer for imaging rat histamine H₃ receptors in vivo due to low brain uptake, in vivo metabolism of the parent compound and low specific binding.     

Synthesis and in vitro autoradiographic evaluation of a novel high-affinity radioiodinated ligand for imaging brain cannabinoid subtype-1 receptors

There is strong interest to study the involvement of brain cannabinoid subtype-1 (CB₁) receptors in neuropsychiatric disorders with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and a suitable radioligand. Here we report the synthesis of a novel high-affinity radioiodinated CB₁ receptor ligand ([¹²⁵I]8, [¹²⁵I]1-(2-iodophenyl)-4-cyano-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-N-(piperidin-1-yl)-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylate, [¹²⁵I]SD7015). By autoradiography in vitro, [¹²⁵I]8 showed selective binding to CB₁ receptors on human brain postmortem cryosections and now merits labeling with iodine-123 for further evaluation as a SPECT radioligand in non-human primate.     

Radiosynthesis,in vitro and in vivo evaluation of 123I-labeled anandamide analogues for mapping brain FAAH

Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is one of the main enzymes responsible for terminating the signaling of endocannabinoids, including anandamide. This paper is the first report of the synthesis, [¹²³I]-labeling and in vitro and in vivo evaluation of anandamide analogues as potential metabolic trapping radioligands for in vivo evaluation of brain FAAH. N-(2-Iodoethyl)linoleoylamide (2) and N-(2-iodoethyl)arachidonylamide (4) were synthesized with good yields (75% and 86%, respectively) in a two steps procedure starting from their respective acids. In vitro analyses, performed using recombinant rat FAAH and [³H]-anandamide, demonstrated interaction of 2 and 4 with FAAH (IC₅₀ values of 5.78 μM and 3.14 μM, respectively). [¹²³I]-2 and [¹²³I]-4 were synthesized with radiochemical yields of 21% and 12%, respectively, and radiochemical purities were >90%. Biodistribution studies in mice demonstrated brain uptake for both tracers (maximum values of 1.23%ID/g at 3 min pi for [¹²³I]-2 and 0.58%ID/g at 10 min pi for [¹²³I]-4). However, stability studies demonstrated the sensitivity of both tracers to dehalogenation.     

CLEARANCE RATE OF EXOGENOUS 3H-THYMIDINE FROM THE PLASMA OF PREGNANT RHESUS MONKEYS

The plasma clearance rate of ³H-TdR was determined by thin-layer chromatography of samples from pregnant rhesus monkeys who had received a single intravenous injection of ³H-TdR. At 10 min after the injection the circulating levels of ³H-TdR had fallen to less than 0.2% of the initial theoretical distribution of the label. In general the plasma clearance rate can be described by a ‘double exponential’curve with half-lives of 1 min and 20 min. Thus, ³H-TdR disappears from the circulation of the pregnant monkey more rapidly than it does from the bloodstream of rodents, which correlates with previously detected interspecies differences in autoradiographic labeling of neurons. This means (1) that higher doses of ³H-TdR must be used for autoradiographic labeling of monkey tissues and (2) that the monkey may be useful for studying cell kinetics because it has a short pulse labeling of the DNA.     

Synthesis and radiopharmacological investigation of 3-[4′-[18F]fluorobenzylidene]indolin-2-one as possible tyrosine kinase inhibitor

The radiosynthesis and radiopharmacological evaluation of 3-[4′-[¹⁸F]fluorobenzylidene]indolin-2-one, a derivative of tyrosine kinase inhibitor SU5416, is described. The radiosynthesis was accomplished by Knoevenagel condensation of 4-[¹⁸F]fluorobenzaldehyde with oxindole in a remotely controlled synthesis module. The reaction conditions were optimized through screening the influence of different bases on the radiochemical yield. The radiotracer was obtained after a two-step labelling procedure in 4% decay-corrected radiochemical yield at a specific activity of 48–61 GBq/μmol within 90 min. The radiochemical purity after semi-preparative HPLC purification exceeded 98%.The biodistribution was studied in Wistar rats. After distribution the radiotracer was rapidly accumulated in the adrenals, liver and kidneys, however, it was cleared from these and the most other organs. Only the adipose tissue remained the activity over 60 min. Unexpected high transient uptake was observed in the brain, pancreas, heart and lung. The fast clearance of 3-[4′-[¹⁸F]fluorobenzylidene]indolin-2-one was caused by excretion, approximately one half each was renal and biliary excreted and the other part cleared by metabolic processes. In arterial blood plasma two more polar metabolites were found by radio-HPLC. After 20 min post-injection, only 12% of intact radiotracer has been detected. Consequently, in small animal PET studies with FaDu tumour bearing mice no specific uptake in the tumours could be observed.     

Influence of short-term oestradiol treatment on plasma thyroid hormone kinetics in rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri

The effects of 17β-oestradiol (E₂) on plasma kinetics of thyroid hormones (T₄, l-thyroxine; T₃, 3,5,3′-triiodo-l-thyronine) were studied in immature rainbow trout. E₂-3-benzoate (0.5 mg/100 g) was injected intraperitoneally on days 0 and 3, and on the morning of day 4 each trout received an intracardiac injection of either [¹²⁵I]T₄ and Na ¹³¹I or [^I25I]T₃. Groups of trout were bled and killed from 5 min to 4 days post-injection of tracer. E₂ did not alter the plasma T₄ level but depressed the T₄ plasma clearance rate, plasma-to-total tissue flux of T₄ and thyroidal T₄ secretion rate. Monodeiodination of T₄ to T₃ was also depressed, as judged from plasma [^I25I]T₃ and ^I25I ^? levels in [¹²⁵I]T₄-injected trout. E₂ had no major effect on T₃ plasma clearance rate but depressed the plasma T₃ level, plasma-to-total tissue flux of T₃ and the T₃ plasma appearance rate. E₂ had no influence on biliary transport of [^I25I]T₄ or [¹²⁵I]T₃. The above results suggest that E₂, at the dose range employed, depresses extrathyroidal T₄ to T₃ conversion, which may in turn decrease plasma T₄ clearance and thyroidal T₄ secretion.     

Metabolism and pharmacokinetics of progesterone in the cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis)

[4-14C]Progesterone was administered to two cycling female monkeys during the luteal phase of the cycle, and blood and urine were sampled over a 24 h period. Progesterone had a volume of distribution of 1.75 +/- 0.3 L/kg, and a plasma elimination clearance of 0.06 +/- 0.03 L/kg/min. In comparison to the human, plasma progesterone binding was greater and progesterone clearance was slower in the cynomolgus monkey. The major unconjugated metabolite in plasma was 20 alpha-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one. In urine 6.2% of 14C-steroids were unconjugated, 2.3% of which were [14C]progesterone. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) of conjugated metabolites in urine revealed that 24% had the mobility of sulfates, 19% that of glucuronides, and 52% were more polar. After hydrolysis of conjugates, a major fraction chromatographed with pregnanediol. However, despite evidence for the presence of a 20 alpha-hydroxyl group, none of the pregnanediol isomers could be identified among these 14C-steroids. Nevertheless, over 80% of urinary metabolites had sufficient analogy to pregnanediol to bind to an antiserum specific for ring D and the C-17 side-chain of pregnanediol.     

Procurement of radioiodinated glucose derivative and its biological character

Radiolabeled glucose derivatives are attracting great interest in the clinical field. Development of an analogous substrate labeled with a practical radionuclide, ¹²³I, is most desirable, however, no radioiodine labeled glucose derivative has been reported as being chemically and biologically compatible. Thus, in the present study, a glucose derivative substituted at the C-2 position by a p-iodobenzyl group, a 2-O-(p-iodobenzyl)-d-glucose (IBG) was designed and its synthesis was carried out.A very easy and simple synthetic method was developed, and the obtained IBG showed appropriate purity and stability for its radioiodination. [¹²⁵I]IBG was obtained by radioisotopic exchange reaction with high radiochemical purity and radiochemical yield, requiring no purification. The good in vivo and in vitro stability and the chemical and biological characteristic displayed by the new [¹²⁵I]IBG stimulated the measurement of the brain uptake index (BUI). In the presence of glucose, brain uptake inhibition was detected, a good indication of a glucose carrier mediator for the transport of [¹²⁵I]IBG through the blood-brain barrier, a similar feature to that of [¹⁴C]glucose or 3-O-[¹⁴C]methylglucose. The newly designed ligand IBG holds good promise for the study of regional cerebral glucose utilization, should the ¹²³I become available.