Validation of <sup>111</sup>In-Exendin SPECT for the Determination of the β-Cell Mass in BioBreeding Diabetes-Prone Rats.

Brom, Maarten; Joosten, Lieke; Frielink, Cathelijne; Peeters, Hanneke; Bos, Desirée; van Zanten, Monica; Boerman, Otto; Gotthardt, Martin · Diabetes · 2018

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The changes in β-cell mass (BCM) during the development and progression of diabetes could potentially be measured by radionuclide imaging using radiolabeled exendin. In this study, we investigated the potential of <sup>111</sup>In-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid-exendin-3 (<sup>111</sup>In-exendin) in a rat model that closely mimics the development of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in humans: BioBreeding diabetes-prone (BBDP) rats. BBDP rats of 4-18 weeks of age were injected intravenously with <sup>111</sup>In-exendin, and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images were acquired. The accumulation of the radiotracer was measured as well as the BCM and grade of insulitis by histology. <sup>111</sup>In-exendin accumulated specifically in the islets, resulting in a linear correlation with the BCM (%) (Pearson <i>r</i> = 0.89, <i>P</i> < 0.0001, and <i>r</i> = 0.64 for SPECT). Insulitis did not have an influence on this correlation. These results indicate that <sup>111</sup>In-exendin is a promising tracer to determine the BCM during the development of T1D, irrespective of the degree of insulitis.

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