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European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

Published in:

01-01-2005 | Molecular Imaging

Molecular imaging of atherosclerotic plaques with technetium-99m-labelled antisense oligonucleotides

Authors: Guangming Qin, Yongxue Zhang, Wei Cao, Rui An, Zairong Gao, Guiling Li, Wendai Xu, Kaijun Zhang, Shuren Li

Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging | Issue 1/2005

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to visualise experimental atherosclerotic lesions using radiolabelled antisense oligonucleotides (ASONs).

Methods

Atherosclerosis was induced in New Zealand White rabbits fed 1% cholesterol for approximately 60 days. In vivo and ex vivo imaging was performed in atherosclerotic rabbits and normal control rabbits after i.v. injection of 92.5±18.5 MBq ^99mTc-labelled ASON or ^99mTc-labelled sense oligonucleotides. Immediately after the in vivo imaging, the animals were sacrificed and ex vivo imaging of the aortic specimens was performed. Biodistribution of radiolabelled c-myc ASON was evaluated in vivo in atherosclerotic rabbits.

Results

Planar imaging revealed accumulation of ^99mTc-labelled c-myc ASON in atherosclerotic lesions along the artery wall. Ex vivo imaging further demonstrated that the area of activity accumulation matched the area of atherosclerotic lesions. In contrast, no atherosclerotic lesions were found in the vessel wall and no positive imaging results were obtained in animals of the control group.

Conclusion

This molecular imaging approach has potential for non-invasive imaging of atherosclerotic plaques at an early stage.

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Title: Molecular imaging of atherosclerotic plaques with technetium-99m-labelled antisense oligonucleotides
Authors: Guangming Qin
Yongxue Zhang
Wei Cao
Rui An
Zairong Gao
Guiling Li
Wendai Xu
Kaijun Zhang
Shuren Li
Publication date: 01-01-2005
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging / Issue 1/2005
Print ISSN: 1619-7070
Electronic ISSN: 1619-7089
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-004-1700-0

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