Radiosynthesis and Preclinical Evaluation of an α-Adrenoceptor Tracer Candidate, 6-[F]Fluoro-marsanidine.

PURPOSE

The α-adrenoceptors mediate many effects of norepinephrine and epinephrine, and participate in the regulation of neuronal, endocrine, cardiovascular, vegetative, and metabolic functions. Of the three receptor subtypes, only α and α are found in the brain in significant amounts. Subtype-selective positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of α-adrenoceptors has been limited to the α subtype. Here, we report the synthesis of 6-[F]fluoro-marsanidine, a subtype-selective PET tracer candidate for α-adrenoceptors, and its preclinical evaluation in rats and mice.

PROCEDURES

6-[F]Fluoro-marsanidine was synthesized using electrophilic F-18 fluorination with [F]Selectfluor bis(triflate). The tracer was evaluated in Sprague Dawley rats and in α-knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice for subtype selectivity. In vivo PET imaging and ex vivo brain autoradiography were performed to determine the tracer distribution in the brain. The specificity of the tracer for the target was determined by pretreatment with the subtype-non-selective α-agonist medetomidine. The peripheral biodistribution and extent of metabolism of 6-[F]fluoro-marsanidine were also analyzed.

RESULTS

6-[F]Fluoro-marsanidine was synthesized with [F]Selectfluor bis(triflate) in a radiochemical yield of 6.4 ± 1.7 %. The molar activity was 3.1 to 26.6 GBq/μmol, and the radiochemical purity was > 99 %. In vivo studies in mice revealed lower uptake in the brains of α-KO mice compared to WT mice. The results for selectivity were confirmed by ex vivo brain autoradiography. Blocking studies revealed reduced uptake in α-adrenoceptor-rich brain regions in pretreated animals, demonstrating the specificity of the tracer. Metabolite analyses revealed very rapid metabolism of 6-[F]fluoro-marsanidine with blood-brain barrier-permeable metabolites in both rats and mice.

CONCLUSION

6-[F]Fluoro-marsanidine was synthesized and evaluated as a PET tracer candidate for brain α-adrenoceptors. However, rapid metabolism, extensive presence of labeled metabolites in the brain, and high non-specific uptake in mouse and rat brain make 6-[F]fluoro-marsanidine unsuitable for α-adrenoceptor targeting in rodents in vivo.