Synthesis, in vitro and in vivo evaluation of 3β-[18F]fluorocholic acid for the detection of drug-induced cholestasis in mice

Introduction Drug-induced cholestasis is a liver disorder that might be caused by interference of drugs with the hepatobiliary bile acid transporters. It is important to identify this interference early on in drug development. In this work, Positron Emission Tomography (PET)-imaging with a 18F labeled bile acid analogue was introduced to detect disturbed hepatobiliary transport of bile acids. Methods 3β-[18F]fluorocholic acid ([18F]FCA) was prepared by nucleophilic substitution of a mesylated precursor with [18F]fluoride, followed by deprotection with sodium hydroxide. Transport of [18F]FCA was assessed in vitro using CHO-NTCP, HEK-OATP1B1, HEK-OATP1B3 transfected cells and BSEP & MRP2 membrane vesicles. Investigation of [18F]FCA metabolites was performed with primary mouse hepatocytes. Hepatobiliary transport of [18F]FCA was evaluated in vivo in wild-type, rifampicin and bosentan pretreated FVB-mice by dynamic μPET scanning. Results Radiosynthesis of [18F]FCA was achieved in a moderate radiochemical yield (8.11 ± 1.94%; non-decay corrected; n = 10) and high radiochemical purity (>99%). FCA was transported by the basolateral bile acid uptake transporters NTCP, OATP1B1 and OATP1B3. For canalicular efflux, BSEP and MRP2 are the relevant bile acid transporters. [18F]FCA was found to be metabolically stable. In vivo, [18F]FCA showed fast hepatic uptake (4.5 ± 0.5 min to reach 71.8 ± 1.2% maximum % ID) and subsequent efflux to the gallbladder and intestines (93.3 ± 6.0% ID after 1 hour). Hepatobiliary transport of [18F]FCA was significantly inhibited by both rifampicin and bosentan. Conclusion A 18F labeled bile acid analogue, [18F]FCA, has been developed that shows transport by NTCP, OATP, MRP2 and BSEP. [18F]FCA can be used as a probe to monitor disturbed hepatobiliary transport in vivo and accumulation of bile acids in blood and liver during drug development.