The targeting of 18F-Al labeled exendin-4 analog was examined in healthy and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Rats were injected with 18F-Al-NOTA-MAL-Cys39-exendin-4 and microPET imaging was performed at 1 h postinjection, followed by ex vivo biodistribution. GLP-1R expression in pancreas was determined through post mortern examinations.
The pancreas of healthy rats was readily visualized after administration of 18F-Al-NOTA-MAL-Cys39-exendin-4, whereas the pancreas of diabetic rats, as well as those from rats co-injected with excess of unlabeled peptides, was barely visible by microPET. At 60 min postinjection, the pancreatic uptakes were 1.02 ± 0.15%ID/g and 0.23 ± 0.05%ID/g in healthy and diabetic rats respectively. Under block, the pancreatic uptakes of non-diabetic rats reduced to 0.21 ± 0.07%ID/g at the same time point. Biodistribution data and IHC staining confirmed the findings of the microPET imaging.
The favorable preclinical data indicated that 18F-Al-NOTA-MAL-Cys39-exendin-4may be suitable for non-invasive monitoring functional pancreatic beta cells.