Synthesis of [C-14]- and [S-35]-labelled PI-88 for pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies

PI-88, uniformly labelled with [C-14] was prepared by incorporating D-[C-14]glucose into the fermentation of Pichia (Hansenula) holstii NRRL Y-2448 under controlled conditions to produce [C-14]-labelled extracellular phosphomannan. Subsequent acid catalyzed hydrolysis gave the [C-14]-labelled oligosaccharide phosphate fraction which was sulfonated with excess sulfur trioxide pyridine complex to give [C-14]PI-88. [S-35]-labelled PI-88 was similarly prepared by the sulfonation of unlabelled oligosaccharide phosphate fraction with [S-35] sulfur trioxide pyridine complex. Copyright (C) 2002 John Wiley Sons, Ltd