Distribution of (76)Br-labeled antisense oligonucleotides of different length determined ex vivo in rats.

Oligonucleotides may hybridize with high selectivity to an RNA sequence and can be used for the monitoring of gene expression or for its inhibition in experimental or therapeutic purposes. As part of the development of positron emission tomography (PET) methods, different lengths (30, 20, 12 and 6 mer) of antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotides complementary to rat chromogranin A were labeled with [(76)Br] using a prosthetic group. The (76)Br-oligonucleotides were injected into rat's tail vein (1-2 MBq/rat), and the radioactivity distribution was analyzed after 20 h using whole body autoradiography or by measurement of organ radioactivity concentration.

Demonstration of [11C] 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan uptake and decarboxylation in carcinoid tumors by specific positioning labeling in positron emission tomography.

In three patients with carcinoid liver and/or lymph node metastases, we studied the process of tumor tracer uptake and decarboxylation by means of positron emission tomography (PET) using 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan (5-HTP) 11C-labeled in the beta-position (HTP) and later the same day with 5-HTP 11C-labeled in the carboxyl group (HTC). With HTP, in which the 11C-label follows the molecule through decarboxylation to form 11C-serotonin, a high tumor accumulation of the tracer was found. With HTC, in which the label is rapidly eliminated from the tissues as 11CO2 if decarboxylation takes place, there was virtually no uptake by the tumors.

Brain uptake and receptor binding of two [11C]labelled selective high affinity NK1-antagonists, GR203040 and GR205171--PET studies in rhesus monkey.

Two high affinity and selective NK1-receptor antagonists, GR203040 and GR205171, were labelled with 11C and used in a series of experiments in rhesus monkeys. The purpose of these studies was to evaluate the brain uptake pattern and to explore the potential use of these compounds as PET ligands to characterise NK1-receptor binding. Seventeen studies were carried out with [11C]GR205171 and five experiments with [11C]GR203040, including baseline studies and studies performed after a 5 min infusion of cold compound at doses between 0.

On the use of liquid chromatography with radio- and ultraviolet absorbance detection coupled to mass spectrometry for improved sensitivity and selectivity in determination of specific radioactivity of radiopharmaceuticals.

Pneumatically assisted electrospray mass spectrometry was evaluated as a complementary detection technique to UV absorbance, for determination of specific radioactivity of tracer molecules to be used in positron emission tomography. Tracers labelled with radionuclides having short half-lives can be synthesised with high specific radioactivity. The UV absorbance detection that is commonly used for the determination does not always have the sensitivity required for those analyses.

PET imaging of adrenal cortical tumors with the 11beta-hydroxylase tracer 11C-metomidate.

Unlabelled: The purpose of the study was to evaluate PET with the tracer 11C-metomidate as a method to identify adrenal cortical lesions.

Methods: PET with 11C-metomidate was performed in 15 patients with unilateral adrenal mass confirmed by CT. All patients subsequently underwent surgery, except 2 who underwent biopsy only.

Elimination of nonspecific radioactivity from [76Br]bromide in PET study with [76Br]bromodeoxyuridine.

[76Br]Bromodeoxyuridine ([76Br]BrdU) might allow a determination of proliferation in vivo using positron emission tomography (PET), but only with consideration of organ nonspecific radioactivity constituted by [76Br]bromide. A first study assessed the potential of diuretics to eliminate [76Br]bromide. [76Br]Bromide was injected in the vein of rats and different diuretic combinations were given.

Positron emission tomography in neuroendocrine tumours.

Positron emission tomography is an in vivo tracer and imaging technique that utilizes short-lived positron emitting radionuclides (11C, 15O, 13N, 18F) with half-lives ranging between 2 min and 2 hours. These radionuclides are interesting from the labelling viewpoint since they are natural constituents of most biologically active compounds. The short half-life is an advantage with regard to the irradiation dose to the patient but it is also a limitation since it requires the production of these radionuclides in close vicinity to the positron emission tomography camera.

Tyrosine transport is regulated differently in patients with schizophrenia.

Previous PET studies of tyrosine transport have suggested that the transport of tyrosine from blood to brain compartment is not dependent on its plasma concentration in patients with schizophrenia. In order to examine this relationship, the transport constant (K1) of tyrosine was determined in five patients with schizophrenia and five normals. L-[1-11C]Tyrosine was injected i.

In vivo positron emission tomography studies on the novel nicotinic receptor agonist [11C]MPA compared with [11C]ABT-418 and (S)(-)[11C]nicotine in rhesus monkeys.

The novel 11C-labeled nicotinic agonist (R,S)-1-[11C]methyl-2(3-pyridyl)azetidine ([11C]MPA) was evaluated as a positron emission tomography (PET) ligand for in vivo characterization of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain of Rhesus monkeys in comparison with the nicotinic ligands (S)-3-methyl-5-(1-[11C]methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)isoxazol ([11C]ABT-418) and (S)(-)[11C]nicotine. The nicotinic receptor agonist [11C]MPA demonstrated rapid uptake into the brain to a similar extent as (S)(-) [11C]nicotine and [11C]ABT-418. When unlabeled (S)(-)nicotine (0.

A mechanism behind the antitumour effect of 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (DON): disruption of mitochondria.

6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (DON) exerts a growth inhibitory effect selectively on the neuroendocrine tumour cell line BON and is proposed as an antitumour drug. The mechanism behind this has not yet been clarified. In the present study, transmission electron microscopy was used for the assessment of changes in cellular organelles.

A comparison of 11C-labeled L-DOPA and L-fluorodopa as positron emission tomography tracers for the presynaptic dopaminergic system.

11C-labeled 3,4-Dihydroxy-phenyl-L-alanine (L-DOPA) and L-fluorodopa were used as tracers for the functional state of the presynaptic dopamine system in anesthetized monkeys with positron emission tomography. The radiotracer disposition in brain tissue and plasma were studied and effects induced by pharmacologic challenges were evaluated. 6R-L-erythro-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin (6R-BH4) increased the striatal influx rate constant, e.

Reversed-phase ion-pair chromatography coupled to electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry by on-line removal of the counter-ions.

A strong anion-exchanger was used as a trapping column to perform on-line coupling of ion-pair chromatography with electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry. Ion-pairing reagents were used to retain polar analytes of low molecular mass away from the solvent front in reversed-phase LC. The trapping column enabled removal of the non-volatile counter-ions from the mobile phase prior to detection, so that the electrospray process could be performed with favourable ionisation conditions and without contamination of the interface.

Compounds labelled with short-lived beta(+)-emitting radionuclides and some applications in life sciences. The importance of time as a parameter.

Some examples of recent development of the synthesis of compounds labelled with short-lived beta(+)-emitting radionuclides will be discussed with an emphasis on the importance of time in selecting a synthetic strategy. Furthermore the use of such labelled compounds to monitor certain processes in areas within the field of analytical chemistry and in various applications in drug development will be presented.

Regulation of dopaminergic activity in early Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by an uneven and progressive loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons. It is hypothesized that the physiological basis for the therapeutic response in early stages of PD is the ability for the partially and unevenly denervated dopaminergic system to restore and normalize dopaminergic influence in functionally segregated subregions of the basal ganglia. To investigate this hypothesis, patients with early and uncomplicated PD were investigated with positron emission tomography by using a two-tracer protocol yielding a measure of dopamine transporter-corrected dopamine synthesis capacity.

Increased dopamine synthesis rate in medial prefrontal cortex and striatum in schizophrenia indicated by L-(beta-11C) DOPA and PET.

Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate dopamine synthesis in the brain of drug-free schizophrenic patients, not only in the striatum but also in extrastriatal areas like the prefrontal cortex, brain areas that for a long time has been in focus of interest in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.

Methods: PET was performed in 12 drug-free (10 drug-naive) psychotic schizophrenic patients and 10 healthy volunteers matched for age and gender using 11C-labelled L-DOPA as the tracer. The time-radioactivity curve from occipital cortex (located within Brodman area 17 and 18) was used as input function to calculate L-DOPA influx rate, Ki images, that were matched to a common brain atlas.

Synthesis and characterization of binding of 5-[76Br]bromo-3-[[2(S)-azetidinyl]methoxy]pyridine, a novel nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ligand, in rat brain.

5-[76Br]Bromo-3-[[2(S)-azetidinyl]methoxy]pyridine ([76Br]BAP), a novel nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ligand, was synthesized using [76Br]bromide in an oxidative bromodestannylation of the corresponding trimethylstannyl compound. The radiochemical yield was 25%, and the specific radioactivity was on the order of 1 Ci/micromol. The binding properties of [76Br]BAP were characterized in vitro and in vivo in rat brain, and positron emission tomography (PET) experiments were performed in two rhesus monkeys.

Deposition and disposition of [11C]zanamivir following administration as an intranasal spray. Evaluation with positron emission tomography.

Objective: This study used positron emission tomography (PET) to investigate the deposition and disposition of zanamivir administered as a nasal spray.

Design: This was an open-label single-dose study in healthy volunteers.

Study Participants: Six healthy male volunteers, aged 19 to 33 years (mean age 25 years) with a bodyweight of 65 to 94 kg (mean bodyweight 76 kg), took part in the study.

Quantitative autoradiography with short-lived positron emission tomography tracers: a study on muscarinic acetylcholine receptors with N-[(11)C]methyl-4-piperidylbenzilate.

The present work demonstrates quantitative autoradiography by using positron emission tomography tracers and storage phosphorimaging plates. The uptake and association of [(11)C]N-methyl-4-piperidylbenzilate was measured in rat brain tissue cryosections of various thicknesses. The signal increased with increasing section thickness, but only in 10-micrometer-thick sections did the binding reach the steady state during a 50-min observation time.

In vitro evaluation of aromatase enzyme in granulosa cells using a [11C]vorozole binding assay.

An in vitro method for measuring aromatase cytochrome P450 enzyme (P450AROM) in human granulosa cells (GC) has been developed, based on binding of the 11C-labeled aromatase inhibitor vorozole. GC were obtained following superstimulation during in vitro fertilisation. The method revealed a binding affinity (Kd) of 0.

A novel subtype of prostacyclin receptor in the central nervous system.

Recently, in the course of our search for the prostacyclin receptor in the brain, we found a novel subtype, designated as IP2, which was finely discriminated by use of the specific ligand (15R)-16-m-tolyl-17,18,19,20-tetranorisocarbacyclin (15R-TIC) and specifically localized in the rostral part of the brain. In the present study, the tritiated compound 15R-[15-(3)H]TIC was synthesized and utilized for more specific research on IP2. The specificity of binding to rat brain regions was confirmed by use of several prostacyclin derivatives including 15S-TIC.

Effects of the substituted (S)-3-phenylpiperidine (-)-OSU6162 on PET measurements of [11C]SCH23390 and [11C]raclopride binding in primate brains.

The substituted (S)-3-phenylpiperidine (-)-OSU6162 belongs to a novel class of functional modulators of dopaminergic systems. In vivo, (-)-OSU6162 has a unique stabilising profile on dopaminergic functions. In vitro this compound exhibits low affinity for the dopamine D2 receptor, but due to its similarity to neuroleptics on brain dopaminergic neurochemistry and different postsynaptic effects it has been characterised as a preferential dopamine autoreceptor antagonist.

Effect of normalization of hematocrit on brain circulation and metabolism in hemodialysis patients.

Full correction of anemia with recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) has been reported to reduce the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and improve the quality of life in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Effects of normalization of hematocrit on cerebral blood flow and oxygen metabolism were investigated by positron emission tomography. Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), cerebral blood volume (rCBV), oxygen extraction ratio (rOER), and metabolic rate for oxygen (rCMRO2) were measured in seven HD patients before and after correction of anemia and compared with those in six healthy control subjects.

Pharmacokinetics and red cell utilization of iron(III) hydroxide-sucrose complex in anaemic patients: a study using positron emission tomography.

The pharmacokinetics of a single intravenous injection of 100 mg iron hydroxide-sucrose complex labelled with a tracer in the form of 52Fe/59Fe was followed in six anaemic patients for a period ranging from 6 to 8 3 h using positron emission tomography (PET). Red cell utilization of the labelled iron was followed for 4 weeks. PET data showed radioactive uptake by the liver, spleen and bone marrow.

Kinetic analysis of 52Fe-labelled iron(III) hydroxide-sucrose complex following bolus administration using positron emission tomography.

Kinetic analysis of a single intravenous injection of 100 mg iron(III) hydroxide-sucrose complex (Venofer) mixed with 52Fe(III) hydroxide-sucrose as a tracer was followed for 3-6 h in four generally anaesthetized, artificially ventilated minipigs using positron emission tomography (PET). The amount of injected radioactivity ranged from 30 to 200 MBq. Blood radioactivity, measured by PET in the left ventricle of the heart, displayed a fast clearance phase followed by a slow one.

Triazolam-induced modulation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor in living brain slices as revealed by a new positron-based imaging technique.

The effect of triazolam, a potent benzodiazepine (BZ) agonist, on muscarinic acetylcholinergic receptor (mAChR) binding was investigated in living brain slices by use of a novel positron-based imaging technique. Fresh rat brain slices were incubated with [11C]N-methyl-4-piperidylbenzilate ([11C]NMPB), a mAChR antagonist, in oxygenated Krebs-Ringer solution at 37 degrees C. During incubation, time-resolved imaging of [11C]NMPB binding in the slices was constructed on the storage phosphor screens.