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Title: The effects of carbidopa on the metabolism of 6-( sup 18 F)fluoro-L-DOPA in rats, monkeys and humans

Journal Article · · Life Sciences; (USA)

After carbidopa pretreatment, FDOPA plasma metabolite profiles in all three species revealed extensive metabolism of FDOPA to 3-O-methyl-6-({sup 18}F)-fluoro-L-DOPA (3-OMFD). In humans, there were significant increases in FDOPA plasma levels for 30 min and in 3-OMFD levels for 120 min after FDOPA administration. 6-({sup 18}F)Fluorodopamine sulfate and ({sup 18}F)fluoro-homovanillic acid levels were decreased, while at all times, free 6-({sup 18}F)-fluorodopamine (FDA) and 6-({sup 18}F)-3-4 dihydroxy-phenylacetic acid (FDOPAC) were not detected. In rat brain, the FDOPA metabolite profile at 30 min was significantly altered by carbidopa pretreatment; increases were noted for striatum FDA and 3-OMFD, and for cerebellum FDOPA and 3-OMFD. Thus, carbidopa pretreatment increased FDOPA plasma levels for a given FDOPA dose and essentially restricted peripheral FDOPA metabolism to 3-OMFD formation. The increase in FDOPA bioavailability to the brain resulted in greater selective FDA accumulation in striatum. As such, carbidopa pretreatment for FDOPA-positron emission tomography studies will significantly increase the amount of radioactivity that can be attributable to FDA in cerebral regions of interest.

OSTI ID:
6526813
Journal Information:
Life Sciences; (USA), Vol. 47:2; ISSN 0024-3205
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English