Receptor-selective localization in pancreas

We examined the distribution of three tritiated ligands and two radioiodinated ligands for their ability to localize in the pancreas of rat and rabbit. The ligands examined are selective for the alpha- and beta-adrenoceptors and the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor. Of the ligands examined, the results indicate that only (R) 3H-3-quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) localized in the pancreas by the receptor-mediated mechanism. The % dose/g tissue, the pancreas-to-blood and pancreas-to-liver ratios are such that a 18F-labeled derivative of QNB should provide images of the pancreas.