Labelling and quality control of gentamycin with99mTc and biodistribution

Gentamycin sulfate (antibiotic) was labelled with^99mTc with high radioactive yield. Technetium species were studied using different types of sephadex on columns. Stannous chloride was used as reducing agent for heptavalent^99mTc obtained directly from generator to lower oxidation state prior to labelling. Optimal pH was found to form the most stable complex. A lyophilized kit was prepared and it was stable for more than three months. Mice, rats and rabbits have been used as exprimental animals. Accumulation of more than 20% of the labelled formula in kidneys 30 minutes post injection in rats has been found. Gamma camera images in rabbit were clear enough for kidney delineation thirty minutes after injection.     

Technetium-99m dextran kit: formulation and biological behaviour

A new formulation of stannous-dextran (Sn-Dx) freeze dried kit, containing 60 mg dextran (Dx-70) and 0.08 mg SnCl₂·2H₂O, to be labelled with^99mTc, has been developed. At pH 6.5–7.0. the labelling efficiency was greater than 95%. Gel chromatography column scanning technique was applied for radiochemical purity determination of^99mTc-Dx preparation and the degree of in vivo plasma protein binding. Not less than 70% of the administered activity was bound to plasma and remained constant over a 1h period. The biological behaviour after intravenous injection of^99mTc-Dx kit was characterized by high and efficient yield of the radiopharmaceutical. The preliminarly clinical results on normal subjects showed that the radiopharmaceutical could be a useful agent for scintigraphy of leg lymph vesel, pelvic and inguinal lymph nodes. The activity uptake in liver and kidney (60 min) was relatively very low, whereas the urinal bladder activity (30 min) represents the drainage of the activity entering the blood stream after interdigital injection of^99mTc-Dx.     

99mTc-nebivolol as a novel heart imaging radiopharmaceutical for myocardial infarction assessment

Non-invasive quantification of myocardial β-receptors could become an independent prognostic marker for chronic heart failure and cardiovascular disorders. The aim of this study was to formulate a novel radiopharmaceutical for the detection of myocardial infarction at early stages in susceptible patients, which requires the development of high myocardium affinity radiopharmaceuticals able to establish an accurate in vivo quantification of cardiac β₁-adrenoceptors. This was attained by the direct complexation of nebivolol as a cardioselective agent with technetium-99m as one of the most useful radionuclides in diagnostic nuclear medicine. Factors affecting the radiochemical yield such as nebivolol amount, stannous chloride amount, reaction time and pH of the reaction mixture were optimized. The results showed that the radiochemical yield was 95 ± 2.87 % and the radiolabeled compound was separated by high performance liquid chromatography. In vitro studies showed that the formed complex was stable for up to 24 h. In vivo uptake of ^99mTc-nebivolol in the heart was 4.55 ± 0.23 % ID/g organ at 0.5 h post injection, whereas the clearance from Albino mice appeared to proceed via the hepatobiliary and renal clearance pathways. Predosing mice with cold nebivolol reduced the heart uptake to 1.1 ± 0.02 % and further confirmed the high specificity and selectivity of this radiotracer for the assessment of the myocardial β₁-adrenoceptors.     

Preparation of (99m)Tc labeled vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and biodistribution in rats

The aim of this study was to label ascorbic acid with (99m)Tc and to investigate its radiopharmaceutical potential in rats. Ascorbic acid was labeled with (99m)Tc using the stannous chloride method. The radiochemical purity of [(99m)Tc]ascorbic acid ((99m)Tc-AA) was determined by RTLC, paper electrophoresis, and RHPLC methods. The labeling yield was found to be 93+/-5.0%. The maximum labeling yield of (99m)Tc-AA was determined at pH 5 and 25 degrees C. The biodistribution studies related to (99m)Tc-AA were done in male albino Wistar rats. (99m)Tc-AA, which has a specific activity of 13.02 GBq/mmol, was administered into the tail vein of the rats. The rats were sacrificed at 15, 30, 60, and 120 min after the injection by heart puncture under ether anaesthesia. The organs were weighed after removal. Their activities were counted using a Cd(Te) detector equipped with a RAD 501 count system. The %ID/g (% of injected dose per gram of tissue weight) in each organ and in blood was calculated. Maximum uptake of (99m)Tc-AA was observed in prostate and kidneys at the 60th min. (99m)Tc-AA may be a promising radiopharmaceutical for the imaging of prostate and kidneys.     

An alkaline kit formulation to obtain [99mTc]MAG3 in high radiochemical yields

An alkaline kit formulation (pH 9) to obtain [^99mTc]MAG₃ with radiochemical puritives over 98% has been developed, avoiding the addition of filtered air to the vial, the use of large amounts of^99mTc activity (i.e., 3.7 GBq) or the reconstitution of large volumes. The use of this radiopharmaceutical in mice showed a minimal accumulation in the hepatobiliary system (0.37±0.3% I.D., 1 h postinjection). However, in rabbits we always obtained good image quality.     

Exchange labeling of proteins:99mTc labeled transferrin

^99mTc-labeled transferrin was prepared by reduction of^99mTcO ₄ ⁻ ; with stannous DTPA or stannous citrate followed by equilibration of the technetium chelate with human transferrin. The rate of transfer of^99mTc to transferrin in the presence of 0.015M citrate buffer was dependent on pH in the order pH 2.1> pH 7.2> pH 4.1> pH 5.9. The incorporation rate was inversely proportional to the concentration of DTPA and citrate buffer. The replacement of citrate buffer by acetate buffer or oxalate buffer reduced drastically the formation of^99mTc-labeled transferrin at pH 4.1. The formation of^99mTc-labeled transferrin prepared from the reduction of^99mTcO ₄ ⁻ with stannous citrate was faster than that from the reduction with stannous DTPA in the presence of 0.015M citrate buffer and pH 2.5. Equilibration of transferrin with^99mTc-labeled pyrophosphate did not produce^99mTc-labeled transferrin at pH 4.5. The ligand exchange labeling of^99mTc to transferrin in 0.015M citrate did not cause appreciable denaturation of the protein at all pH values. This method also enabled labeling of the protein in a low concentration (2.6·10⁻⁴ M) via tin reduction. Sequential external imaging of the^99mTc-labeled transferrin in Sprague-Dawley rats bearing Walker-256 carcinosarcoma showed optimal tumor localization occurred at 3 hr after injection. In spite of this,^99mTc-labeled transferrin does not appear to be a suitable imaging agent because of the low tumor to blood ratio of^99mTc (0.50±0.17) at 3 hr post injection. This is similar to that of^{6 7}Ga-citrate (0.43±0.15%).     

99mTc—Sulphur colloid: A freeze-dried,single-step kit for liver imaging

The formulation of a freeze-dried sulphide colloid kit, to be directly labelled with technetium is based on the preparation of tin/II/ sulphide precolloid, stabilized with carboxy methyl cellulose. The formation kinetics of the labelled colloid assessed by GCS-method showing a fast reduction of^99mTc-pertechnetate, forming reduced^99mTc-colloid with subsequent build-up of the labelled sulphur colloid. This is assumed to be due to the formation of^99mTc/V/ to be bound to sulphide precolloid of the kit. The blood clearance data of the labelled colloid in rabbits showed two exponential disappearance phases of radioactivity from blood with biological half times of 3 and 67 min. The results of organ distribution in mice show that more than 85% of the administered activity is accumulated in the liver indicating a high colloidal yield of optimal particle size. The dynamic studies of the labelled colloid achieved in normal subjects using gamma camera indicate a rapid blood clearance and high liver uptake with low surrounding tissue background.This work was performed under the auspices of the Iraqi Atomic Energy Organization and presented in part at the Fifth International Symposium on Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, Tokyo, August 1984.     

Kinetic examination of ligand exchange reaction between99mTc-gluconate and dimercaptosuccinic acid

^99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid is one of the most widely applied radiopharmaceutical for renal scintigraphy. This complex was prepared by ligand exchange reaction from^99mTc-gluconate at tracer concentration of technetium under acidic conditions. The exchange yield was determined by paper chromatography and reaction rate constants were calculated at different pH values.     

99mTc-amoxicillin: A novel radiopharmaceutical for infection imaging

Amoxicillin, a penicillin derivative was synthesized as ready-to-used single vial kit and radiolabeled with technetium-99m. Various trials have been carried out to optimize the concentration of stannous chloride, amoxicillin, pH and reaction time. Radiochemical purity, in vitro and in vivo stability, partition co-efficient, protein binding and biodistribution in rabbit infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae were studied. The biodistribution studies in rabbit showed that ^99mTc-amoxicillin started to accumulate in the infected area at 1-h postadministration. ^99mTc-amoxicillin may prove itself as potential novel radiopharmaceutical for imaging infections caused by many bacteria.     

The Study of Various Rhenium Compounds by Capillary Electrophoresis

The conditions for the synthesis of rhenium compounds (pH, reaction time, concentration of reducing agent) have been determined previously by thin-layer chromatography. A Britton-Robinson buffer solution has been selected as a carrier electrolyte due to its possible use in a wide interval of pH, mainly at optimal pH for the formation of the complexes studied. The same electrolyte has been previously applied also in case of the study of rhenium and technetium complexes by polarography. The electrophoretic experiments have been carried out under both standard and reverse polarities with direct UV detection at the wavelength 214 nm and 20 °C. The signal of perrhenate has been observed at the reverse polarity (outlet+, inlet–), of reduced rhenium [probably Re(IV)] under normal polarity. The formation of rhenium complexes with EDTA has been shown by lowering of the cationic rhenium signal due to the addition of the ligand. The rhenium complexes with EDTA are observable at reverse mode of CE. The formation of rhenium complexes with HEDP (hydroxyethylidenediphosphonic acid) has been studied in two different carrier electrolytes — 40 mM Britton-Robinson buffer solution and 50 mM phosphate buffer with 20 mM HEDP. The mechanism of perrhenate reduction by stannous chloride and of the formation of rhenium complexes with EDTA has been determined. The necessity of the presence of ascorbic acid as an antioxidant in the reaction mixture at different pH values has been described as well.     

Synthesis,bioevaluation and gamma scintigraphy of <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc-N-2-(furylmethyl iminodiacetic acid) complex as a new renal radiopharmaceutical

A ligand of N-2-(furylmethyl iminodiacetic acid) (FMIDA) has been easily labeled by a tetradentate chelating agent of [^99mTc]. Factors like a stannous chloride solution as a reducing agent (100 μg), substrate amount (100 μg), pH (7), in vitro stability (8 h) and temperature (37 °C) have been systematically studied to optimize high radiochemical yield (98.0%). The radiochemical conversion was calculated on thin-layer chromatography, paper electrophoresis, and high performance liquid chromatography. Biodistribution study showed that this complex was removed from the kidneys and bladder path way during 1 h post injection. Therefore, [^99mTc]FMIDA may be used as renal function radiotracer.     

Optimization of the reaction conditions for the preparation of 99mTc-celecoxib and its biological evaluation

Celecoxib was labelled effectively with ^99mTc. The labeling yield was found to be influenced by the amount of celecoxib, the amount of stannous chloride dihydrate, the reaction time, the temperature and the pH of the reaction mixture. The importance of stannous chloride dihydrate arises from its function as a reducing agent for pertechnetate to form complex celecoxib. The suitable amount required to produce high labeling yield of ^99mTc-celecoxib was 500 μg SnCl₂·2H₂O. The pH of the reaction medium was found to play a significant role in this labeling process. The labeling reaction was performed at a neutral medium (pH 7). The labeling reaction proceeds well at room temperature (25 ± 1 °C) and the complex decomposes by heat. The labeled celecoxib (^99mTc-celecoxib) showed a good localization in inflamed foci and a good imaging must be taken 4 h post injection.     

Preparation and biodistribution of99mTc-HT18

The preparation of N₁-(octadecylcarbomyl-methy)-ethylenediaminetriacetic acid labelled with^99mTc is described. Reduction of technetium was made using sodium borohydride (procedure A) or stannous chloride (procedure B), and the labelling efficiency was checked by thin layer chromatography. Preliminary studies of biol-behavior of this complex were performed in white rats.     

Biodistribution of tritiated benzoporphyrin derivative (3H-BPD-MA), a new potent photosensitizer, in normal and tumor-bearing mice

The biodistribution of a new and very potent photosensitizer, benzoporphyrin derivative-monoacid, ring A (BPD-MA), was determined in normal and P815 (mastocytoma) or M1 (rhabdomyosarcoma) tumor-bearing DBA/2J mice. A dose of 80 micrograms of 3H-BPD-MA was determined at 3, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 168 h post injection. The following tissues were tested: blood, brain, heart, intestine, kidney, lung, liver, muscle, skin, stomach, spleen, thymus and tumor. The biodistribution of 3H-BPD-MA in normal and tumor-bearing mice was comparable overall. 3H-BPD-MA localized in tumors better than in other tissues except kidney, liver and spleen. The tumor to tissue ratios were in the range 1.5-3 at 24 h post injection and increased further during the next 72 h. The highest levels of 3H-BPD-MA were observed in all tissues at 3 h post injection and decreased rapidly during the first 24 h. After 24 h the clearance from tissues was rather slow. The preliminary clearance data obtained in a group of five normal mice indicated that the majority of the injected dose (60%) cleared from the body via the bile and feces, while only about 4% cleared via kidneys and urine. Studies in which 3H-BPD-MA was extracted from tumor, kidney and liver 3 and 24 h after injection showed that, at 3 h, all the photosensitizing activity in tumor was retained. At 24 h only 39% of the activity was retained and considerably less active material was present in liver and kidney.     

Effect of chemical condition of technetium-99m sodium pertechnetate on the active kit components and radiolabeling yield of Tru-Scint® ADTM monoclonal antibody kit

The chemical condition of^99mTc eluate obtained from a⁹⁹Mo-^99mTc generator is a function of the source, time elapsed after elution and age of the eluate. The radiochemical purity and stability of^99mTc labeled MAb-170 (Tru-Scint^®AD^TM, photoactivated monoclonal antibody kit) preparations was evaluated comparing pertechnetate source of known age and elution history. The effect of H₂O₂, a radiolytic impurity in^99mTc eluates, on the active kit components stannous ion and photoactivated MAb and radiolabeling, yield has been investigated. The lyophilized Tru-Scint^® AD^TM kit has been labeled with 20 to 80 mCi in 0.5 to 4.0 ml of Sodium Pertechnetate^99mTc Injection, USP. The eluates were obtained from three brands of generators and used up to six hours after elution. The kits were reconstituted either with Sodium Pertechnetate^99mTc Injection, USP or Sodium Chloride Injection, USP, 0.9% containing known amounts of H₂O₂. The reconstituted kits were analyzed for radiolabeling yield and radiochemical impurities, stannous ion and protein sulfhydryl group. The results indicated that the radiolabeling yield is a function of both the chemical condition of^99mTc eluate, generator brand and the radiolabeling parameters like reconstitution volume and activity. The observed radiolabeling yield differences did not depend on the amount of chemical technetium in the eluate. The major radiochemical impurities at 15-minute post labeling have been identified as the^99mTc-buffer complex and column adsorbed reduced^99mTc (^99mTc-Ad) species and not the unreduced^99mTcO ₄ ^– .     

Chemical and biological properties of verapamil labeled with technetium-99m: A potential myocardial imaging agents

On the base of property to enter into myocardial cells as a calcium channel blocker, verapamil was labeled with technetium-99m in order to investigate the possibility to obtain new radiopharmaceutical for myocardial imaging. The conditions of labeling verapamil with technetium-99m for different ammounts of stannous(II) ion, mannitol, cystein and pH range 2.5–3.5 were examined. Investigation of radiochemical purity (>95%) and biodistribution of ^99mTc-verapamil in rats showed that it was stable during 2 hours after labeling. Accumulation of ^99mTc-verapamil in heart was 1.2% and in liver 9.4%, 5 minutes after injection. Biodistribution of ^99mTc-verapamil in rats in conditions of stress, pharmacologically caused by dipiridamol, showed that the elimination of ^99mTc-verapamil from the heart was slower related to the control group. In the group of rats previously treated with isoproterenol uptake of ^99mTc-verapamil in heart was lower related to the control group (0.7% versus 1.0%) 5 minutes after injection. Lipophilicity of ^99mTc-verapamil was examined by determination of partition coefficient (log P = 0.62) and protein binding (79%). Imaging studies on dogs provided relatively good myocardial images with partially overlap of activity in the lung and liver.     

Oxidation states of technetium in diphosphonate complexes

Valence states of technetium in two most prominent bone imaging agents. i.e., their model complexes with⁹⁹Tc (⁹⁹Tc-MDP and⁹⁹Tc-DPD) were determined by redox potentiometric titration. Titrations of⁹⁹Tc-pertechnetate by Sn(II) solutions were performed in the presence of a ligand (MDP or DPD), as well as without them. Tc(III) was obtained in complexes with MDP and DPD in strongly alkaline medium (pH 12–13) while in the absence of the ligands Tc(IV) was formed. In strongly acidic medium (pH 2–3) the redox process resulted Tc(IV) in both complexes, while Tc(III) was formed in the absence of the ligands. At pH values near neutral or exactly neutral (important for radiopharmaceutical complexes^99mTc-MDP and^99mTc-DPD), it was possible to perform titrations in the ligand absence only at pH values from 7 to 11.8 (due to in hydrolysis) while the resulting oxidation state of Tc in the presence of ligand depended on the used ligand: Tc(IV)-MDP (pH 5.4–5.9 and pH 7.0–7.4), and Tc(III)-DPD (pH 8.0).     

Formulation and preclinical evaluation of 99mTc–gemcitabine as a novel radiopharmaceutical for solid tumor imaging

The aim of this study is the formulation of a new radiopharmaceutical for imaging solid tumor bearing. Gemcitabine is a nucleoside analogue used as chemotherapeutic agent. Gemcitabine was formulated and radiolabeled with one of the most important diagnostic radioactive isotopes (technetium-99m) to be investigated in solid tumor imaging. The labeling parameters such as gemcitabine amount, stannous chloride amount, pH of the reaction mixture, and reaction time were optimized. ^99mTc–gemcitabine was prepared at pH 9 with a maximum labeling yield of 96 ± 0.3 % without any notable decomposition at room temperature over a period of 8 h. The preclinical evaluation and biodistribution in solid tumor bearing mice showed that ^99mTc–gemcitabine had solid tumor selectivity, preclinical high biological accumulation in tumor cells and high retention. Tumor/normal muscle (T/NT) ratios increased with time showing high T/NT ratio (T/NT = 4.9 ± 0.27 at 120 min post injection) and high Tumor/Blood ratio (3.4 ± 0.06), suggesting ^99mTc–gemcitabine as a novel solid tumor imaging agent.     

Labelling and quality control of cysteine with99mTc and biological distribution

An instant kit of cysteine (amino acid) to be labelled with^99mTc was prepared. Optimal conditions were found, and a procedure to prepare the kit ready to use in liophilized form to gain the highest labelling yield. More than 95% labelling yield was obtained when^99mTc (TcO ₄ ^– ) eluted from^99mTc-generator was added to the contents of the kit. Each kit contains 0.66 mg of SnCl₂·2H₂O as stannite and 66 mg cysteine in lyophilized form. The formulation of cysteine tin (kit) was stable for nearly three months giving labelling yield more than 95%. Using GCS technique, different species of technetium and labelled cysteine were identified when Sephadex (G-50, G-25) was applied. Biodistribution of the labelled preparation revealed that kidney was the target organ. The ratio of accumulated dose in kidneys/liver was greater than 2.     

Preparation of 99mTc-cefoperazone complex, a novel agent for detecting sites of infection

Prompt localization of infection sites is essential for initiating appropriate therapeutic measures. There have been major advances in the management of patients suffering from infective and/or inflammatory disorders as a result of introduction of newer drugs with high sensitivity and specificity. Since the last decade, ^99mTc-ciprofloxacin was used as a biologically active radiopharmaceutical to diagnose inflammation but it has some problems related to radiochemical purity and stability. The aim of this study is to develop simple and easy formulation of cefoperazone (other broad spectrum antimicrobial agent) with ^99mTc a ready to use labeling kit for infection imaging. The optimum condition that gives high labeling yield of ^99mTc-cefoperazone complex, 97.9%, was achieved by using 3 mg cefoperazone, 100 μg Sn(II), at pH 8 and 10-minute reaction time. For in vivo binding of ^99mTc-cefoperazone pharmacokinetic studies were carried in experimentally induced infection, in the left thigh, using Staphylococcus aureus in rats. Both thighs of the rats were dissected and counted and the ratio of bacterial infected thigh/contralateral thigh was then evaluated. The time for maximum accumulation of ^99mTc-cefoperazone at the site of infection (T/NT = 4.5) was 45-minute post intravenous injection, followed by gradual decline. So, ^99mTc-cefoperazone complex is simple and stable preparation for infection imaging after 45-minute post injection.