Preparation of Sn-β-alanine: A new freeze-dried kit to be labelled with99mTc for liver scintigraphy

Sn-alanine kits were prepared in lyophilized form containing 7.02·10^–2 M -alanine and 5.5·10^–4M stannous chloride dihydrate. The optimal pH value of the preparation was found to be equal to 4.3–5.1. The radiochemical purity and the stability of^99mTc-alanine were assessed by gel filtration column scanning techniques (GCS) and thin layer chromatography, and the labelling yield of the complex was higher than 95%. The organ distribution data in mice showed that more than 90% of the injected dose had been accumulated in the liver. However, a negligible amount of radioactivity was detected in the non-target organs. The stability of^99mTc-alanine was followed for 5 hours and the Sn-alanine kit was stable for at least 3 months.