Decreased Tissue Accumulation of 6-Deoxy-6-[¹⁸F]fluoro-L-ascorbic Acid in Glutathione-Deficient Rats Induced by Administration of Diethyl Maleate

Abstract

The relationship between in vivo biodistribution of 6-deoxy-6-[¹⁸F]fluoro-L-ascorbic acid (¹⁸F-DFA) and the content of tissue glutathione (GSH) was investigated in Wistar male rats. Following intravenous administration of ¹⁸F-DFA, the accumulation of radioactivity in most tissues, including the adrenal glands, liver and brain, was significantly reduced together with a decrease in the content of GSH by preloading of diethyl maleate (DEM) which depletes cellular GSH. Similar decreased uptake was also observed in the distribution of L-[1-¹⁴C]ascorbic acid (¹⁴C-AA) after DEM treatment. The possible biological mechanisms, including competition with endogenous AA and ascorbate recycling, that modulate the uptake and accumulation into tissues of ¹⁸F-DFA and ¹⁴C-AA in GSH-deficient rats are discussed.