title: 1,3,5-Trialkyl-2,4,6-triiodobenzenes: novel X-ray contrast agents for gastrointestinal imaging.
abstract: Examination of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract has been performed for decades using barium sulfate. Although this agent has many recognized limitations including extreme radiopacity, poor intrinsic affinity for the GI mucosa, and very high density, no alternative contrast agents have emerged which produce comparable or better contrast visualization. In fact, the various techniques of the GI radiologic examination (i.e., single contrast, double contrast, biphasic) were developed to compensate for its limitations. Each of these techniques requires complex patient manipulation to achieve adequate mucosal coating or compression to overcome the marked radiopacity of barium sulfate in order to obtain a diagnostically useful examination. A series of novel radiopaque oils, the 1,3, 5-trialkyl-2,4,6-triiodobenzenes, was designed to improve the efficacy, stability, and safety of barium formulations. These substances were prepared in two steps from 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene. Compound 17 (1,3,5-tri-n-hexyl-2,4,6-triiodobenzene), formulated as an oil-in-water emulsion, was found to be well-tolerated in rodents (mice, hamsters, rats) following acute oral and/or intraperitoneal administrations at 4 times the anticipated human clinical dose. No metabolism of 17 was detected in rat, hamster, dog, monkey, or human hepatic microsomes, suggesting the lack of oral toxicity was a consequence of poor absorption. In imaging experiments in dogs, emulsions of 17 have demonstrated excellent mucosal coating and improved radiodensity relative to barium sulfate suspensions. On the basis of the preliminary imaging and toxicity data, compound 17 was selected as a potential development candidate.
authors.affiliation: Nycomed Amersham Imaging, 466 Devon Park Drive, P.O. Box 6630, Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087-8630, USA. estep@pfizer.com
authors.forename: K G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Estep
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Josef
authors.forename: E R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Bacon
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Illig
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Toner
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mishra
authors.forename: W F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Blazak
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spencer
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D000818:Animals; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D006224:Cricetinae; D004064:Digestive System / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004285:Dogs; D015195:Drug Design; D004655:Emulsions; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007462:Iodobenzenes / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D008862:Microsomes, Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D015394:Molecular Structure; D011859:Radiography; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: C409867:1,3,5-tri-n-hexyl-2,4,6-triiodobenzene; D003287:Contrast Media; D004655:Emulsions; D007462:Iodobenzenes