Abstract
Arg-vasopressin (AVP) derivatives modified at the N-terminal amine with various sugars via an octamethylene were synthesized and tissue uptake was evaluated after i.v. injection in rats. Glucosyl, mannosyl and 2-deoxyglucosyl derivatives showed significantly higher tissue uptake clearance by the kidney than galactosyl and α-mannosyl derivatives. In vivo tissue uptake analysis of the glucosyl derivatives showed that only the kidneys had a saturable uptake mechanism via the antiluminal membrane. The derivatives which showed high renal uptake clearance showed specific binding to the kidney membrane in vitro. These results suggested that there was a novel sugar transport mechanism in the kidneys which could be utilized as a delivery method for glycosylated peptides.
