Acetylcholine metabolism in pancreas by C-11 Donepezil PET

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25670533
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Radiation science
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: Hatazawa Jun 大阪大学, 医学系研究科, 教授 (70198745)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: アセチルコリンエステラーゼ / アセチルコリン / PET / ドネペジル

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter contributing to control of pancreatic excretion and insulin secretion from beta cells. We tested C-11 labeled acetylcholine esterase inhibitor Donepezil (DNP) as a biomarker of pancreatic function in rats and normal humans. In rats, high accumulation of DNP was found in intestine, pancreas, and adrenal gland where acetylcholine esterase concentration was high in the autopsied tissue, indicating C-11 DNP is a marker of acetlycholinergic function. In humans, high accumulation of C-11 DNP was found in myocardium, pancreas, and intestine, but not in adrenal gland. The current study revealed a species difference in controlling myocardium and adrenal gland function by acetylcholine between rat and humans.

Free Research Field

核医学