N-13 L-GLUTAMATE UPTAKE IN MALIGNANCY - ITS RELATIONSHIP TO BLOOD-FLOW

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 25  (9) , 989-997
Abstract
Studies on glutamate uptake and special reference to perfusion, were carried out in 35 rats, each bearing 1 of 5 different tumor transplants [fibrosarcoma BSp 25, osteosarcoma BSp 41, adenosarcoma BSp 73, uterus neurogenic sarcoma BSp 130, uterus leiomyosarcoma BSp 141]; also in 15 rats after bone fracture and in 3 rabbits. Single-pass extraction of 13N glutamate was 85-93% in the VX2 tumor of the rabbit and in muscle. Bone fracture in rats caused a 3-fold increase of tracer uptake 2 days after the event. In tumor transplants, the tumor-to-muscle uptake ratio reached a maximum immediately following injection of the tracer. Comparing 13N glutamate uptake with the retention of 131I microspheres, identical tumor-to-muscle ratios were found for 3 of 5 tumor lines. Comparing the uptake with that of 11C butanol (10 rats), a close correlation was observed throughout the range of tumor lines. Glutamate uptake by malignant tumors may be related to blood flow. In 9 patients with malignant or benign lesions tumor-to-muscle uptake of 13N glutamate and 201Tl showed a linear correlation close to identity.