A rapid and simple Sep Pak method for purification of radioiodinated IQNP, a high affinity ligand for the muscarinic receptor.

A simplified procedure for the purification of 1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl alpha-hydroxy-alpha-(1-iodo-1-propen-3-yl)-alpha-phenylacetate (IQNP) stereoisomers utilizing a silica Sep Pak (SSP) is described. Iodine-131-E- and iodine-125-Z-(R,R)-IQNP were isolated after SSP purification in 80% and 75% radiochemical yields, respectively. The biodistribution of iodine-131-E-/iodine-125-Z-(R,R)-IQNP, purified either by SSP or high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), was evaluated in female rats and demonstrated no significant differences in the uptake in various organs and cerebral regions. The utilization of SSP thus affords a simple and rapid method for the purification of IQNP for use in a variety of animal studies.