Iodocholesterol, or 19-iodocholesterol, also as iodocholesterol (¹³¹I) ( INN) and NP-59, is a derivative of cholesterol with an

iodine Iodine is a chemical element with the symbol I and atomic number 53. The heaviest of the stable halogens, it exists as a semi-lustrous, non-metallic solid at standard conditions that melts to form a deep violet liquid at , and boils to a vi ...

atom in the C19 position and a radiopharmaceutical. When the iodine atom is a radioactive isotope (

iodine-125 Iodine-125 (125I) is a radioisotope of iodine which has uses in biological assays, nuclear medicine imaging and in radiation therapy as brachytherapy to treat a number of conditions, including prostate cancer, uveal melanomas, and brain tumors. ...

or iodine-131), it is used as an

adrenal cortex The adrenal cortex is the outer region and also the largest part of an adrenal gland. It is divided into three separate zones: zona glomerulosa, zona fasciculata and zona reticularis. Each zone is responsible for producing specific hormones. It is ...

radiotracer in the diagnosis of patients suspected of having Cushing's syndrome,

hyperaldosteronism Hyperaldosteronism is a medical condition wherein too much aldosterone is produced by the adrenal glands, which can lead to lowered levels of potassium in the blood (hypokalemia) and increased hydrogen ion excretion (alkalosis). This cause of min ...

, pheochromocytoma, and adrenal remnants following total adrenalectomy.

References

Cholestanes Organoiodides Radiopharmaceuticals {{drug-stub