Improved synthesis of an ergothioneine PET radioligand for imaging oxidative stress in Alzheimer's disease

L-ergothioneine (ERGO) is a potent antioxidant with cytoprotective effects. To study ERGO biodistribution and detect oxidative stress in vivo, we report an efficient and reproducible preparation of [C-11]-labeled ERGO PET radioligand based on protecting the histidine carboxylic group with a methyl ester. Overall, this new protection approach using methyl ester improved the chemical yield of a 4-step reaction from 14% to 24% compared to the previous report using t-butyl ester. The [C-11]CH3 methylation of the precursor provided the desired product with 55 +/- 10% radiochemical purity and a molar activity of 450 +/- 200 TBq center dot mmol(-1). The [C-11]ERGO radioligand was able to detect threshold levels of oxidative stress in a preclinical animal model of Alzheimer's disease.