Chemistry, Department of
Department of Chemistry: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research
First Advisor
Stephen G. DiMagno
Date of this Version
Spring 4-24-2015
Document Type
Thesis
Citation
A thesis presented to the faculty of the Graduate College at the University of Nebraska in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science
Major: Chemistry
Under the supervision of Professor Stephen G. DiMagno
Lincoln, Nebraska, May 2015
Abstract
Plasticizers are added to polymeric materials to increase flexibility and durability, thus they constitute a common, and widely used class of industrial chemicals. Plasticizers have been suspected of a number of adverse health effects including the interference with the endocrine system.1 These substances have the tendency to migrate to the surfaces of materials, where they can be absorbed, ingested, or inhaled. 5 The iniquitousness of plasticizers and the daily contact with polymeric materials has given rise to concern about the toxicity and health effects of these substances. Many long-term and excessive-dose studies have been conducted on many of these chemicals, but little has been done to determine the short-term and small-dose effects of these types of compounds. 2,3,4 Classical methods of examining the biodistribution of such substances include autoradiography, as well as an array of other analytical techniques. While these methods can sufficiently provide biodistribution data, they suffers some limitations.
The majority of this thesis will argue that positron emission tomography (PET) is a potential replacement for classical techniques to monitor biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of widespread environmental contaminants. The work in this masters thesis is focused on the preparation of three labeled model compounds: [18F] 2-fluoro-4-(2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propan-2-yl)phenol, [18F]diethyl 4-fluorophthalate, and [18F] bis(2-ethylhexyl) 4-fluorophthalate. Imaging of these compounds will be offered as proof of principle. Studies demonstrate that this approach is feasible, and that it can complement and replace many of the laborious animal studies used in current toxicology research.
Advisor: Stephen G. DiMagno
Comments
Copyright 2015, Katelyenn S. McCauley. Used by permission