Synthesis of S-[13N]nitrosoglutathione (13N-GSNO) as a new potential PET imaging agent

In the present paper, a fast and reproducible method for the synthesis of S-[13N]nitrosoglutathione is reported for the first time. The labeling strategy is based on the production of [13N]NO3− via the 16O(p,α)13N nuclear reaction in water, as opposed to the standardized production of [13N]NH4+ in 2 mM aqueous ethanol. Following the reduction of [13N]NO3− to [13N]NO2−, the reaction with glutathione in the presence of hydrochloric acid led to the desired radiotracer with a good radiochemical yield (24.2±2.0% end of synthesis, n=5) in a short production time (3 min from the end of bombardment).