Preparation and evaluation of radioiodinated 1-methyl-1-(alkyl or hydroxyalkyl)-4-phenylpiperazinium salts as myocardial imaging agents

In this study the authors evaluate the effect of various substituents upon the myocardial uptake and selectivity of radioiodinated phenylpiperazinium derivatives. A series of 1-methyl-1-(alkyl or hydroxyalkyl)-4-(substituted phenyl) piperazinium salts were synthesized, characterized, radioiodinated at the no-carrier-added level with Na/sup 125/I and chloroamine-T, and isolated in 50-85% radiochemical yields using HPLC. The tissue distribution of the radiochemicals was determined in rats at 0.25 - 4 hr following i.v. administration. The compounds where R/sub 2/=CH/sub 2/CH/sub 2/OH had the highest myocardial uptake and selectivity. The radioactivity in the heart did not diminish during the time period evaluation but also was not displaced by tetraethylammonium, or other quaternary amines. Scintigraphic imaging in the dog with [I-131] 1-methyl-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-(2-methylphenyl)piperazine clearly visualized the heart. Following sacrifice at 2 hrs and tissue dissection, the heart uptake was 4.5-6.5% ID with H/B1=25 and H/lung=l.5. In summary, the initial data suggest that this agent which can be readily labeled with radioiodide possesses substantial potential as a myocardial perfusion agent