BIODISTRIBUTION AND METABOLISM OF [N-METHYL-C-11]-M-HYDROXYEPHEDRINE IN THE RAT

Biodistribution and metabolism of [N-methyl-C-11]-m- hydroxyephedrine ([C-11]mHED) an analogue of noradrenaline, were assessed in rats. Pret reatment with desipramine, an uptake, blocker, reduced uptake of radio activity in myocardium but not in lung, liver, kidney, and muscle. Bra in uptake was negligible. HPLC showed six radioactive metabolites in p lasma and liver but none in myocardium. Co-injection of unlabelled mHE D or metaraminol with [C-11]mHED demonstrated no difference between th e in vivo binding potentials for mHED and metaraminol in myocardium. ( C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.