Use of ultrasound contrast agent microbubbles in preclinical research: recommendations for small animal imaging.

Ultrasound contrast imaging techniques represent a real opportunity to improve efficiency in the preclinical drug discovery and development process. Ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) combined with specific ultrasound contrast detection modes provide real-time, high spatial resolution of both organ and lesion blood perfusion, the so-called dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging. With the advent of targeted UCA, ultrasound molecular imaging is gaining momentum in molecular imaging, particularly because of the simultaneous real-time anatomical and functional/molecular imaging capabilities.

Effects of acoustic radiation force on the binding efficiency of BR55, a VEGFR2-specific ultrasound contrast agent.

This work describes an in vivo study analyzing the effect of acoustic radiation force (ARF) on the binding of BR55 VEGFR2-specific contrast-agent microbubbles in a model of prostatic adenocarcinoma in rat. A commercial ultrasound system was modified by implementing high duty-cycle 3.5-MHz center frequency ARF bursts in a scanning configuration.

Ultrasound molecular imaging of VEGFR2 in a rat prostate tumor model using BR55.

Objectives: To evaluate BR55, a new VEGFR2-specific ultrasound contrast agent, for imaging prostate tumors in an orthotopic model in the rat.

Materials And Methods: Rat prostate adenocarcinoma were established by injection of G Dunning R-3327 tumor cells in one lobe of the prostate of Copenhagen rats. Imaging experiments were performed with BR55, SonoVue, and streptavidin-functionalized microbubbles coupled with an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) antibody using a clinical ultrasound scanner.

Investigation of the antihistaminic action of dimethindene maleate (Fenistil) and its optical isomers.

Dimethindene maleate (DM) (= Fenistil) is a potent antihistamine with a prolonged duration of action. On the histamine-stimulated guinea-pig ileum DM has a pA2 of 9.3 but produces a very marked depression of the maximum response at 10(-8) M.