Correlation between Lipophilicity of the Ligands and the Hepatobiliary Properties of the Radiopharmaceuticals: Approach to the Development of New IDA Derivatives

The partition coefficient (log P) for n-octanol/water system was calculated applying PACO program for various theoretically possible mono and dihalogenated IDA derivatives. Some of the synthesized ligands (SOLCOIODIDA, IODIDA and DIIODIDA) were labeled with the technetium-99m. The biodistribution and influence of bilirubin on their biokinetics were investigated in rats. The correlation between partition coefficients of ligands increase (log P) and better hepatobiliary properties of ^99mTc-IDA derivatives was determined. The values of log P increase from 1.16 for SOLCOIODIDA, 3.11 for IODIDA to 3.47 for DIIODIDA. In correlation with these results, biliary excretion decreased for 59% for ^99mTc-SOLCOIODIDA and 11% for ^99mTc-IODIDA and ^99mTc-DIIODIDA under hyperbilirubinemia (3.5 min after injection) and 45%, 11% and 0.38% respectively (15 min after injection). The highest biliary excretion had ^99mTc-DIIODIDA (55.4% for 3.5 min). Considering the correlation between hepatobiliary properties and log P, the evaluation of biological properties for various trifluoromethyl mono and dihalogenated IDA derivatives was performed on the basis of the calculated log P in order to synthetize a new radiopharmaceutical for hepatobiliary scintigraphy.     

The stability of99mTc phosphorus compounds in plasma both in vivo and in vitro

The in vivo and in vitro stability of^99mTc hydroxyethlylidene diphosphonate, 99^mTc methylenediphosphonate and^99mTc pyrophosphate in plasma has been studied using paper chromatographic technique as the analytical tool. The results indicate that the amounts of^99mTc activity found both at the origin and R_f range of^99mTcO₄ ^? for in vivo experiments are slightly greater than those for either in vitro or control experiments. However, this amount of^99mTc activity represents about 0.16–0.4% of the injected dose. Therefore, it is suggested that^99mTc phosphorus radiopharmaceuticals are stable in vivo and neither oxidation nor hydrolysis of these bone imaging agents occurs in the blood.     

Quality control and statistical analysis of biodistribution of commercial99mTc-IDA derivatives

The results obtained for radiochemical purity of ITLC (SA) and (SG) using different solvent systems and low voltage electrophoresis are presented in the paper. Radiochemical purities obtained for^99mTc-dimethyl IDA (^99mTc-HIDA) and^99mTc-diethyl IDA (^99mTc-EHIDA) are 98.1±0.6% and 98.7±0.5%, respectively. Variable^99mTc hydrolyzate contents, depending on the ionic strength of the eluents and on the time interval between labelling and analysis, have been obtained by Sephadex chromatography. The eluent containing Sn-EHIDA inhibits dissociation of^99mTc-EHIDA due to dilution of the preparation during elution of the column and yielding only a small percent of Sephadex bound fraction, as compared to other investigated eluents. The range of normal^99mTc-IDA biodistribution values in the organs of experimental animals and statistical significance of the difference between these two preparations have also been determined. The results obtained for^99mTc-HIDA and^99mTc-EHIDA in the liver are 33.9±5% and 25.7±4.7%, respectively p<0.01.     

Kinetic analysis of99mTc-d, 1-HMPAO decomposition and the method of stabilization

The kinetics of^99mTc-d, 1-HMPAO decomposition is studied using home kits. The results showed that^99mTc-d, 1-HMPAO decomposition is a first-order reaction. The decomposition constant k is found to be 0.017±0.007h^–1 under the experimental conditions of 20°C, 185MBq/ml, pH 7.0. The stability of^99mTc-d, 1-HMPAO is affected not only by pH and radioactive concentration, but also by temperature. Using Immol/l gentisic acid as a stabilizer, 740MBq/ml of^99mTc-d, 1-HMPAO can be stabilized for 3h with the radiochemical purity above 80%.     

Direct labelling of anti-gastric cancer monoclonal antibody 3H11 with99mTc

Monoclonal antibody 3H11 was labelled with^99mTc by modified Schwartz method. The antibody was incubated in a glass test tube at room temperature for 30min with a 1000-fold molar excess of 2-mercaptoethanol. The mean labelling efficiency of 3H11 with^99mTc was more than 95%. The immuonreactivity of^99mTc-3H11 was more than 80% by ELISA's method. Competetion results in vitro and HPLC analysis showed that^99mTc was combined at the high affinity sites of antibody. The biodistribution in nude mice bearing 823 gastric cancer xenograpfts showed that the radioactivity in tumor at 24h postinjection was the highest except for that in kidney. The tumor uptake was 8.98±2.42% i.d/g. The ratio of tumor to blood was over 1.5 and that of tumor to liver was more than 2.5 at 24h post-injection. The tumor was clearly imaged at 22h postinjection. The inital clinical results showed that^99mTc-3H11 was stable in vivo and was good located at the lesion sites.     

Biodistribution of the bone imaging agents99mTc-DHPE and99mTc-MDP in rats

The self life of the freeze-dried formulation kits utilized for the preparation of the new bone imaging radiopharmaceutical^99mTc-1,2-dihydroxy-1,2-bis/dihydroxyphosphinyl/ethane /^99mTc-DHPE/ has been investigated as well as the toxicity of the DHPE. In a biodistribution investigation of^99mTc-DHPE in rats, in comparison to^99mTc-methylenediphosphanate /^99mTc-MDP/,^99mTc-DHPE exhibited a certain extent higher skeleton uptake, a higher blood clearance rate, a very low concentration in other organs, a satisfactory biological stability and excretion primarily through the kidneys. These properties demonstrate that^99mTc-DHPE is a new promising skeleton imaging radio-pharmaceutical.     

Influence of bilirubin on the distribution of99mTc-HIDA and99mTc-IODIDA in rats and their interaction with HSA

The interaction of bilirubin and^99mTc-HIDA and^99mTc-IODIDA has been studied in rats. The mechanism of this interaction has been examined at the level of binding with human serum albumin (HSA) by the in vitro method. Percentage of binding with HSA, and affinity constants for^99mTc-IODIDA were determined with and without bilirubin. Bilirubin was labeled with^99mTc and its interaction with HSA was also examined.     

Comparative radiochemical and kinetic study of tumorotropic and renal99mTc-DMSA

A procedure for obtaining a stable^99mTc(V)-DMSA kit and methods for its radiochemical and biological control are described. The effect of pH on radiopharmaceutical stability of the complex was studied. The kinetic parameters of^99mTc(V)-DMSA were determined on rats and compared to the corresponding values for renal^99mTC-DMSA. Clinical tests showed that^99mTc(V)-DMSA is suitable agent for detecting the primary medullar carcinoma of thyroid, as well as for detection of thyroid metastasis.     

Chemical and biological evaluation of 99mTc (CO)3 and 99mTc complexes of some IDA derivatives

The confirmation that N-substituted imidodiacetic acids, as small and simple ligand systems containing amines and carboxylic acids, could be coordinated to the tricarbonyl core and form inert complexes with [^99mTc (CO)₃(H₂O)₃]⁺, is demonstrated. The HPLC quality control results of ^99mTc-carbonyl tagged IDA molecules, performed by gradient HPLC, have shown that HIDA, EHIDA and p-butyl-IDA form complexes with [^99mTc(CO)₃(H₂O)₃]⁺, with a labeling yield of ~90% for each of ^99mTc(CO)₃ IDA derivatives. However, the changes in the structure of labeled compounds, e.g., EHIDA, influence the changes in the biological behavior. In comparison with ^99mTc-EHIDA, the biliary excretion of ^99mTc(CO)₃ EHIDA was lower, but the urinary excretion higher. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Comparative study of different gels for quality control of99mTc-radiopharmaceutical kits

The available six types of Sephadex and one type of Sepharose have been applied in the separation of technetium fractions in^99mTc-labelled radiopharmaceuticals produced in our laboratory using the GCS technique. By this technique the chemical state and the percentage of^99mTc-fractions have been determined. The resolution efficiency of some gel types were found to be significantly influenced by the pH of the eluent. The results obtained from the experiments indicated that Sephadex G-25 Fine was the best and can be routinely used in the radiochemical analysis of the following kits:^99mTc-HSA,^99mTc-DTPA and^99mTc-HIDA and G-100 for^99mTc-PYP. With^99mTc-HSA and^99mTc-PYP kits, 0.9% NaCl eluents at pH 3.2 and pH 2 to 2.5, respectively, were found to be necessary for the separation of^99mTc-fractions. G-50 Fine was found to be the best gel between the others in the separation of^99mTc-fractions in testing of the weak radiopharmaceuticals,^99mTc-GH and^99mTc-MDP. The development of^99mTc-MDP with the eluent at the same pH as the preparation gives negligible interaction effect.     

Statistical analysis of the results of99mTc-MDP quality control

The methods used for control of radiochemical purity of^99mTc-MDP are presented. TLC method on silica gel, developed with methanol and acetone (11 v/v), was convenient for determination of^99mTcO ₄ ^– with the content of 2.6±1.2%. The reliable results on detection of^99mTc hydrolyzate (2.2±1.3%) and for another^99mTc-MDP complex (13.2±2.8%) were obtained by application of ITLC (SA), developed with Sn-MDP. By Sephadex G-25 column chromatography (1.5 cm×5 cm) the separation of^99mTcO ₄ ^– was not achieved. The range of normal^99mTc-MDP biodistribution values in the organs of experimental animals have been determined. The mean value of bone distribution was 8.4±1.13%/g, in muscles 0.071±0.033%/g, while uptake in liver and kidneys was below 5%. Chi-square test and P show that the results on biodistribution of^99mTc-MDP in liver, bones and muscles are arranged around their mean values, which is statistically allowed.     

Characterization of 99mTc(CO)3-iminodiacetic acid (IDA) and its comparison with 99mTc-(IDA)2 using compounds for hepatobiliary scintigraphy

The organometallic precursor of fac-[^99mTc(CO)₃(H₂O)₃]⁺ has attracted much attention because of the robustness and small size of Tc(I)-tricarbonyl complexes compared to Tc(V) complexes and the good labeling affinity with a variety of donor atoms. Among various ligand systems, an iminodiacetic acid (IDA) was proven as a good chelating group to form a Tc(III)-compelx as well as has been shown its potential as a chelating system for fac-[^99mTc(CO)₃] precursor. In an attempt to confirm the similarity and the difference between ^99mTc(CO)₃-IDA and ^99mTc-(IDA)₂-complex, M(CO)₃-IDA (M = ^99mTc, Re) complexes of disofenin, mebrofenin and N-(3-iodo-2,4,6-trimethyl phenylcarbamoylmethyl) iminodiacetic acid were prepared, and the biological evaluation of ^99mTc(CO)₃-disofenin was performed. The ^99mTc(CO)₃-IDA complexes were prepared with a high radiolabeling yield (>98%) in a quantitative manner and showed a negative charge. The in vivo pharmacokinetic behavior of ^99mTc(CO)₃-disofenin showed a similar biological activity to ^99mTc-(disofenin)₂ in that those complexes were quickly cleared from the blood by the hepatocytes and excreted into the gallbladder and intestine. Accordingly, the ^99mTc(CO)₃-IDA derivatives of disofenin and mebrofenin might be used as hepatobiliary imaging agents. Since an IDA is a promising chelator for ^99mTc-based radiopharmaceutical and the biological properties of ^99mTc(CO)₃-IDA derivative shows similar to that of ^99mTc-complex, a biomolecule containing IDA can be freely radiolabeled with fac-[^99mTc(CO)₃]-precursor or ^99mTc. However, the radiolabeling efficiency and the biological behavior demonstrates the favorable properties of ^99mTc(CO)₃-IDA compound for the development of a new imaging agent.     

Chemical and radiochemical evaluation of the purity of99mTc extracted by MEK

Solvent extraction separation of^99mTc from⁹⁹Mo using methyl ethyl ketone(MEK) has been found to be an effective method of obtaining^99mTc of medicinal purity from low specific activity⁹⁹Mo. The authors have investigated the effect of alkali and molybdenum concentration on the extraction of⁹⁹Mo and^99mTc into methyl ethyl ketone. The possibility of methyl ethyl ketone forming enol and condensation products and its effect on the final extraction efficiency and purity of^99mTc has been studied. Sodium molybdate has been found to have a good salting out effect on^99mTc pertechnetate and hence^99mTc extraction can be better accomplished from low specific activity⁹⁹Mo solutions. The ketone seems to form traces of condensation products in the extraction procedure. These have been found to be coextracted with^99mTc into MEK but did not affect the extractability of^99mTc. It was observed that neutral alumina column removes these condensation products from MEK containing^99mTc. Alternately these could be filtered off by acidification of the final aqueous^99mTc solution. The studies indicate that under optimum experimental conditions methyl ethyl ketone separates^99mTc from⁹⁹Mo with high efficiency and yields^99mTc of high purity suitable for use in nuclear medicine in the form of various labelled compounds.     

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.     

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 ^– .     

99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid: Analytical procedures for its radiochemical quality control

A procedure for the radiochemical purity control of^99mTc-(2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid) (DMSA), used as a renal scintigraphic agent is described. The proposed chromatographic system entails the use of two successive solvents, first MEK and second aqueous solution of 5% glycine, on the same supporting medium Gelman ITLC-SG. The procedure is fast and leads to separation and estimation of free pertechnetate, hydrolyzed form of^99mTc and^99mTc — DMSA. This system is superior to the others reported in the literature as the spots of the different species are more distinguished and more concentrated. Its reliability has been studied using dimercaptosuccinic acid kits of different manufacturers and the results have been checked biologically.     

Comparative quality control of some bone-seeking99mTc radiopharmaceuticals by gel chromatography

The radiochemical purity of the three osteopatic ligands:^99mTc(Sn)-PyP,^99mTc(Sn)-DPD and^99mTc(Sn)-MDP has been determined by gel chromatography on Sephadex. The results of the analyses strongly depend on the composition of the eluent. The dilution effect of pure saline as eluent was observed in all the preparations examined. The most sensitive was found to be^99mTc(Sn)-PyP. The retention of^99mTc activity bound to the gel matrix (^99mTc-hydrolyte) was over 30%. The diphosphonates were found to be more stable (retention 10–15%). The retention is substantially lower, i.e. a high recovery of the labeled complexes is obtained when the eluent contains the ligand. The best results are obtained when the eluent contains the same concentrations of ligand and reductant as in the labeled complex. There was no significant difference in the behavior of the given radiopharmaceuticals prepared as a fresh solution and in the freeze-dried kit.     

Radiochemical quality control of99mTc-phytate

Several chromatographic methods have been used for determining the radiochemical purity of^99mTc-phytate. Good separation of^99mTc-phytate from radiochemical impurities was performed using gel column chromatography packed with Sephadex G-10. Reduced^99mTc-complexes and^99mTc-phytate were not separated by paper and thin layer chromatography.This work has been presented at the Fifth International Symposium on Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, Tokyo, July 9–12, 1984.     

A rapid method for recovery of radiochemically pure99mTc from MEK extracts

A method based on the sorption of^99mTc in MEK on an acid alumina column has been investigated. A number of parameters as column dimension, amount of alumina, MEK volumes, etc. is found to affect the extent of adsorption and the final purity of^99mTc solution. These parameters have been standardized and a method for rapid recovery of MEK-extracted^99mTc has been developed. The final characteristics of the^99mTc is found to conform to pharmacopoeia specification.     

Synthesis and radiolabelling of N-acetanilidoiminodiacetic acid analogues with MEK extracted99mTc

Labelling of N-(2,6-diethylacetanilido), N-(p-n-butylacetanilido,N-(p-methoxyacetanilido) and N-acetanilido-iminodiacetic acid analogues with^99mTc obtained by MEK extraction has been studied. The acetanilido IDA analogues were synthesized using the condensation reaction between nitrilotriacetic acid anhydride and the corresponding anilines. Conditions are described to label these four HIDA analogues using MEK extracted^99mTc with high and reproducible radiochemical purity.