Oxygent. A novel probe of tissue oxygen tension

Ralph P. Mason, Himu Shukla, Peter P. Antich

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

There is developing interest in the use of fluorinated materials to act as physiological reporter molecules in vivo. Perfluorocarbon emulsion blood substitutes exhibit intense 19F nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals, which are sensitive to the microenvironmental milieu. In particular, the NMR spin-lattice relaxation rates (R1) of the 19F resonances of perfluorocarbon emulsions are sensitive to oxygen tension and temperature. We have previously exploited this phenomenon to measure dynamic changes in pO2 in the tumor and liver of live mice and the perfused rat heart using Oxypherol (an emulsion of perfluorotributylamine (pftb), Alpha Therapeutics). We have now examined the use of Oxygent (an emulsion of perfluorooctylbromide (PFOB), Alliance Pharmaceuticals) as a probe of oxygen tension. The 19F NMR spectrum of PFOB has 7 well-resolved signals at 7 Tesla. Each shows a linear relationship between R1 and pO2. Preliminary data indicate that Oxygent is considerably more sensitive to changes in pO2. At 37 C the most sensitive resonance in PFOB shows a relationship R1 (s-1) = 0.31 + 1.82 × 10-2 %pO2. This compares with R1 (s-1) = 0.88 + 1.72 × 10-2 %pO2 for pftb. The enhanced sensitivity should facilitate more accurate monitoring of small radiobiologically significant changes in pO2 in tumors. Given the preliminary use of PFOB in clinical trials, this may form a basis for monitoring oxygen tension in patients in the near future. We have previously shown that the alternate PFC emulsion Fluosol (Alpha Therapeutics) was readily detected by NMR at 2 Tesla in a patient following radio-therapy. It is known that PFOB accumulates in the reticuloendothelial system and in tumors, and we are currently evaluating the biodistribution and tissue retention of Oxygent to assess the utility of this emulsion in vivo as a probe of oxygen tension.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Number of pages1
JournalBiomaterials, Artificial Cells, and Immobilization Biotechnology
Volume19
Issue number2
StatePublished - Dec 1 1991
Event8th World Congress of the International Society for Artificial Organs in conjunction with the 4th International Symposium on Blood Substitutes - Montreal, Que, Can
Duration: Aug 19 1991Aug 23 1991

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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