2-deoxy-2-fluoro-D-galactose F 18

2-deoxy-2-fluoro-D-galactose F 18 (FDGal) is a radiolabeled analog of the monosaccharide D-galactose, utilized as a diagnostic radiopharmaceutical for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. It is specifically designed to evaluate regional liver function and galactose metabolism. Upon intravenous administration, FDGal is transported into hepatocytes, primarily through asialoglycoprotein receptors and glucose transporters. Inside the cell, it serves as a substrate for the enzyme galactokinase, which phosphorylates it into FDGal-1-phosphate. Because this phosphorylated intermediate is not a substrate for the subsequent enzyme in the Leloir pathway (uridyltransferase) and cannot cross the cell membrane, it remains metabolically trapped within the hepatocytes. This accumulation allows for the non-invasive quantification of galactokinase activity and the assessment of functional hepatic mass, making it useful in studying liver cirrhosis, hepatitis, and hepatic malignancies such as hepatocellular carcinoma.

Other names

2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-galactose F 182-deoxy-2-(18F)fluoro-D-galactoseFludeoxygalactose F 18