Synthesis and evaluation of 111In-labeled d-glucose as a potential SPECT imaging agent

The purpose of this study was to develop an efficient synthetic method for labeling d-Glucosamine with indium-111 (¹¹¹In), and to investigate the imaging properties of the resulting radiotracer in MDA-MB-468 xenograft models using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The precursor compound, 2-(4-Isothiocyanato benzyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid-deoxyglucosone (DOTA-DG), was synthesized from 2-d-Glucosamine. DOTA-DG was labeled with ¹¹¹In within 20 min. The labeling efficiency and radiochemical purity of ¹¹¹In-DOTA-DG were >95 and >96 % as determined by radio-HPLC. SPECT imaging studies were performed using nude mice bearing MDA-MB-468 mammary tumors after intravenous injection of at a dose of 1.11 MBq (0.1 mL) ¹¹¹In-DOTA-DG. Tumors were clearly delineated by SPECT imaging at 120 min after injection.     

Radiolabeling of EGCG with 125I and its biodistribution in mice

The aim of the present study was to label EGCG with ¹²⁵I and to determine its radiopharmaceutical potential in mice. EGCG was labeled with ¹²⁵I using the iodogen method. The labeling yield and the radiochemical purity of ¹²⁵I–EGCG were determined by radio thin-layer chromatography (RTLC). The Labeling yield was approximately 89.4 %. The radiochemical purity was approximately 96.4 %. The biodistribution studies of the labeled compound (specific activity; 0.47 TBq/μg) were performed in male Kunming mice. The uptakes of ¹²⁵I–EGCG in some organs were determined at different time after injection to the mice. The radioactivity in each organ was counted and the percentage of injected activity per gram of tissue weight (%ID/g) for each organ and blood was calculated. Incorporation of radioactivity in the various tissue/organ was confirmed by microautoradiography. ¹²⁵I–EGCG uptake in the stomach and salivary gland was higher than other organ/tissue. The black silver grains was concentrated in the nucleus, cytoplasm, intercellular substance and capillaries of that various organs, and its unevenly distributed. Thus, ¹²⁵I–EGCG may be radiopharmaceutical for the imaging of the stomach and salivary gland.     

Biodistribution of ultra small superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles in BALB mice

Recently ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) nanoparticles (NPs) have been widely used for medical applications. One of their important applications is using these particles as MRI contrast agent. While various research works have been done about MRI application of USPIOs, there is limited research about their uptakes in various organs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biodistribution of dextran coated iron oxide NPs labelled with ^99mTc in various organs via intravenous injection in Balb/c mice. The magnetite NPs were dispersed in phosphate buffered saline and SnCl₂ which was used as a reduction reagent. Subsequently, the radioisotope ^99mTc was mixed directly into the reaction solution. The labeling efficiency of USPIOs labeled with ^99mTc, was above 99 %. Sixty mice were sacrificed at 12 different time points (From 1 min to 48 h post injections; five mice at each time). The percentage of injected dose per gram of each organ was measured by direct counting for 19 harvested organs of the mice. The biodistribution of ^99mTc-USPIO in Balb/c mice showed dramatic uptake in reticuloendothelial system. Accordingly, about 75 percent of injected dose was found in spleen and liver at 15 min post injection. More than 24 % of the NPs remain in liver after 48 h post-injection and their clearance is so fast in other organs. The results suggest that USPIOs as characterized in our study can be potentially used as contrast agent in MR Imaging, distributing reticuloendothelial system specially spleen and liver.     

Labeling of ursodeoxycholic acid with technetium-99m for hepatobiliary imaging

An adopted method for the preparation of high radiochemical purity ^99mTc-ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) was conducted with a high radiochemical yield up to 97.5 %. The reaction proceeds well using 2 mg UDCA, 50 μg tin chloride in solution of pH 8 at room temperature for 30 min. The radiochemical yield was up to 97.5 % as pure as ^99mTc-UDCA. Different chromatographic techniques (paper chromatography and electrophoresis) were used to evaluate the radiochemical yield and purity of the labeled product. Biodistribution studies were carried out in Albino Swiss mice at different time intervals after administration of ^99mTc-UDCA. The uptake of ^99mTc-UDCA in the liver gave the chance to diagnose it. The results indicate that the labeled compound cleared from the systematic circulation within 2 h after administration and majority of organs showed significant decrease in uptake of ^99mTc-UDCA. Finally, the liver uptake was high and the results indicate the possibility of using ^99mTc-UDCA for hepatobiliary imaging.     

Labeling of acetaminophen with I-131 and biodistribution in rats

The aim of the present study was to label acetaminophen (APAP) with I-131 and to determine its radiopharmaceutical potential in rats. Acetaminophen was labeled with I-131 using the iodogen method. The radiochemical purity of (131)I-APAP was determined by RTLC and paper electrophoresis. The labeling yield was 94 +/- 4%. The biodistribution studies of the labeled compound (specific activity; 56.60 GBq/mmol) were performed in male Albino Wistar rats. The uptake of (131)I-APAP in some organs were determined at different time after injection to the rats. The radioactivity in each organ was counted and the percentage of injected activity per gram of tissue weight (%ID/g) for each organ and blood was calculated. (131)I-APAP uptake in the lung, liver, kidneys, pancreas, blood, stomach and some brain region, were observed. Thus, (131)I-APAP may be radiopharmaceutical for the imaging of the brain.     

Preparation,molecular modeling and biodistribution of 99mTc-phytochlorin complex

Phytochlorin [21H, 23H-Porphine-7-propanoicacid, 3-carboxy-5-(carboxymethyl)13-ethenyl-18-ethyl-7,8-dihydro-2,8,12,17-tetramethyl-,(7S,8S)] was labeled with ^99mTc and the factors affecting the labeling yield of ^99mTc-phytochlorin complex were studied in details. At pH 10, ^99mTc-phytochlorin complex was obtained with a high radiochemical yield of 98.4 ± 0.6 % by adding ^99mTc to 100 mg phytochlorin in the presence of 75 μg SnCl₂·2H₂O after 30 min reaction time. The molecular modeling study showed that the structure of ^99mTc-phytochlorin complex presents nearly linear HO–Tc–OH unit with an angle of 179.27° and a coplanar Tc(N1N2N3N4) unit. Biodistribution of ^99mTc-phytochlorin complex in tumor bearing mice showed high T/NT ratio (T/NT = 3.65 at 90 min post injection). This preclinical study showed that ^99mTc-phytochlorin complex is a potential selective radiotracer for solid tumor imaging and afford it as a new radiopharmaceutical suitable to proceed through the clinical trials for tumor imaging.     

Synthesis and preliminary evaluation of 99mTc-spermine as a tumor imaging agent

Polyamines are essential for the growth and survival of all cells with biosynthesis and transportation of polyamines being very active in tumors. With the aim of developing a new tumor imaging agent, the endogenous polyamine, spermine was labeled with ^99mTc, and its characters were also evaluated via in vitro and in vivo studies. ^99mTc-labeled spermine probe (^99mTc-spermine) was synthesized by the direct pretinning procedure and the labeling procedure was optimized with regard to the pH, reaction time, amounts of spermine and SnCl₂. The stability of the ^99mTc-spermine and its capacity to accumulate into 4T1 tumor cells were also evaluated. Biodistribution of ^99mTc-spermine was studied in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice. In the optimal conditions, the whole radiosynthesis was accomplished within 10 min with a decay-corrected yield of 96.5 ± 1.3 % and radiochemical purity of >95 %.^99mTc-spermine was stable at both 37 and 4 °C for at least 6 h. In vitro tests revealed that the ability of ^99mTc-spermine to penetrate in 4T1 tumour cells and an excess of spermine blocked the accumulation of the compound in the models. Biodistribution studies showed a high tumor uptake peaked at 30 min post-injection with 1.82 ± 0.19 % ID%/g. The tumor to muscle uptake ratios of the probe were 3.60 ± 0.51, 4.48 ± 0.29, 4.82 ± 0.18, 5.64 ± 0.10, respectively at 30 min, 1, 2 and 4 h postinjection. Block studies indicated that ^99mTc-spermine had specific binding of tumor via polyamine transport systems. ^99mTc-spermine is a promising radiopharmaceutical in tumor imaging. Further studies are required to determine the usability of ^99mTc–spermine for diagnosis purposes.     

Synthesis,radiolabeling and biological distribution of a new dioxime derivative as a potential tumor imaging agent

A novel dioxime derivative (2E,2′E,3E,3′E)-3,3′-(pyrimidine-4,5-diylbis(azanylylidene))bis(butan-2-one)dioxime was synthesized with a yield of 65%. IR, elemental analysis, mass spectroscopy and ¹H-NMR were used to characterize the structure of the synthesized compound. ^99mTc-dioxime was radio-synthesized with a high radiochemical yield of 97.8 ± 0.5% and in vitro stability of 6 h under the optimum conditions. The preclinical evaluation of ^99mTc-dioxime in solid tumor-bearing mice showed high accumulation in solid tumor cells with a high Target/Non-Target ratio of 5.14 at 30 min post-injection. This study suggests that ^99mTc-dioxime derivative is a promising candidate as a new ^99mTc-based tumor-imaging agent after further preclinical studies.     

Radiosynthesis and Biodistribution of <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc-Metronidazole as an <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> Infection Imaging Radiopharmaceutical

Bacterial infection poses life-threatening challenge to humanity and stimulates to the researchers for developing better diagnostic and therapeutic agents complying with existing theranostic techniques. Nuclear medicine technique helps to visualize hard-to-diagnose deep-seated bacterial infections using radionuclide-labeled tracer agents. Metronidazole is an antiprotozoal antibiotic that serves as a preeminent anaerobic chemotherapeutic agent. The aim of this study was to develop technetium-99m-labeled metronidazole radiotracer for the detection of deep-seated bacterial infections. Radiosynthesis of ^99mTc-metronidazole was carried by reacting reduced technetium-99m and metronidazole at neutral pH for 30 min. The stannous chloride dihydrate was used as the reducing agent. At optimum radiolabeling conditions, ~ 94% radiochemical was obtained. Quality control analysis was carried out with a chromatographic paper and instant thin-layer chromatographic analysis. The biodistribution study of radiochemical was performed using Escherichia coli bacterial infection-induced rat model. The scintigraphic study was performed using E. coli bacterial infection-induced rabbit model. The results showed promising accumulation at the site of infection and its rapid clearance from the body. The tracer showed target-to-non-target ratio 5.57 ± 0.04 at 1 h post-injection. The results showed that ^99mTc-MNZ has promising potential to accumulate at E. coli bacterial infection that can be used for E. coli infection imaging.     

Optimization of fundamental parameters in routine production of 90Y-hydroxyapatite for radiosynovectomy

Hydroxyapatite was applied as a carrier adsorbing ⁹⁰Y³⁺ ions for ⁹⁰Y-HA colloid production. The radiopharmaceutical colloid was prepared by adding an acidic solution of ⁹⁰YCl₃ to HA suspension in saline solution. Effective parameters on labeling of ⁹⁰Y-HA were evaluated. Adsorption and cation-exchange properties were studied using inductively coupled plasma elemental analysis and N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherm method. Radionuclidic purity was over 99.9 %. Labeling yield and radiochemical purity were >99 %. Radiochemical purity was evaluated also in human albumin for 7 days at 37 °C. Biodistribution studies have shown complete retention of injected radioactivity at the administration site up to 72 h.     

Preparation and biological evaluation of radiogallium labeled glucagon for SPECT imaging

In this work, recently prepared ⁶⁷Ga-labeled glucagon (⁶⁷Ga-DTPA-GCG) for imaging studies (radiochemical purity >94%; HPLC, S.A. 296–370 GBq/mM) was used in biological studies. The wild-type rat biodistribution results, 2 h post injection, demonstrated high tissue:muscle ratios for target tissues (liver, kidney, heart, spleen, fat intestine stomach and pancreas), 234, 18.45, 7.12, 1.75, 128.7, 4.9, 6.3 and 1.11, respectively. The tracer binding capacity using freshly prepared rat brain homogenate demonstrated significant specific binding of the tracer to neuronal GCG receptors (⁶⁷Ga-DTPA-GCG/⁶⁷Ga:3 and ⁶⁷Ga-DTPA-GCG/⁶⁷GaDTPA:2.2 at 90 min). SPECT images also demonstrated target specific binding of the tracer at 4 h. The data suggests the tracer is accumulated in GCGR rich tissues 2–4 h post injection, suggesting potentials of the tracer for future imaging studies in glocagonoma models.     

Preparation and biological evaluation of radioiodinated risperidone and lamotrigine as models for brain imaging agents

Risperidone and lamotrigine were successfully labeled with ¹²⁵I via direct electrophilic substitution reaction at 80 °C with maximum labeling yields of 89 ± 3.75 and 97.5 ± 1.0 %, respectively. Stability of ¹²⁵I-risperidone was up to 6 h while that of ¹²⁵I-lamotrigine was up to 24 h. Biodistribution studies showed that maximum uptakes of ¹²⁵I-risperidone and ¹²⁵I-lamotrigine in the brain of mice were 4.35 ± 0.17 and 2.51 ± 0.18 % of the injected activity/g tissue organ at 10 min post-injection, respectively. Both radioiodinated drugs showed higher brain uptake and stability compared to commercially available technetium-99m d,l-hexamethyl propyleneamine oxime.     

Preparation and biological distribution of 99mTc-cefazolin complex, a novel agent for detecting sites of infection

The optimization of the radiolabeling yield of cefazolin with ^99mTc was described. Dependence of the labeling yield of ^99mTc-cefazolin complex on the amounts of cefazolin and SnCl₂·2H₂O, pH and reaction time was studied. Cefazolin was labeled with ^99mTc with a labeling yield of 89.5 % by using 1 mg cefazolin, 5 μg SnCl₂·2H₂O at pH 4 and 30 min reaction time. The radiochemical purity of ^99mTc-cefazolin was evaluated with ITLC. The formed ^99mTc-cefazolin complex was stable for a time up to 3 h, after that the labeling yield decreased 64.0 % at 8 h. Biological distribution of ^99mTc-cefazolin complex was investigated in experimentally induced inflammation mice, in the left thigh, using Staphylococcus aureus (bacterial infection model) and turpentine oil (sterile inflammation model). Both thighs of the mice were dissected and counted and the ratio of bacterial infected thigh/contralateral thigh was then evaluated. In case of bacterial infection, T/NT for ^99mTc-cefazolin complex was 8.57 ± 0.4 after 0.5 h, which was higher than that of the commercially available ^99mTc-ciprofloxacin under the same experimental conditions. The ability of ^99mTc-cefazolin to differentiate between septic and aseptic inflammation indicates that ^99mTc-cefazolin could undergo further clinical trials to be used for imaging sites of infection.     

Preparation, nano purification, quality control and labeling optimization of [64Cu]-5,10,15,20-tetrakis (penta fluoro phenyl) porphyrin complex as a possible imaging agent

Cu-64 was produced via the ⁶⁸Zn (p,αn)⁶⁴Cu nuclear reaction (≈200 mCi, >95 % chemical yield at 180 μA for 1.1 h irradiation, (radionuclidic purity >96 %, copper-67 as impurity) followed by purification with amino functionalized nano magnetic oxide, Fe₃O₄ aiming to remove trace amount of heavy metal ions from aqueous media due to achieve ultra pure [⁶⁴Cu] CuCl₂ for labeling step. [⁶⁴Cu] labeled 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(penta fluoro phenyl) porphyrin ([⁶⁴Cu]-TFPP) was prepared using freshly prepared [⁶⁴Cu] CuCl₂ (Cu-64; T _1/2 = 12.7 h) and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(penta fluoro phenyl)porphyrin (H₂TFPP) for 60 min at 100 °C under reflux condition (radiochemical purity: >97 % ITLC, >98 % HPLC, specific activity: 14–16 GBq/mmol). Stability of the complex was checked in final formulation and human serum for 24 h. The partition coefficient was calculated for the compound (log P = 0.73). The biodistribution of the labeled compound in vital organs of wild-type rats was studied using scarification studies and PET imaging up in 2 and 4 h after injection. A detailed comparative pharmacokinetic study performed for ⁶⁴Cu cation and [⁶⁴Cu]-TFPP. The complex is mostly washed out from the circulation through kidneys and liver and can be an interesting tumor imaging/targeting agent due to high specific uptake and rapid excretion through the urinary tract.     

Preparation of <Superscript>166</Superscript>Dy/<Superscript>166</Superscript>Ho-chitosan as an in vivo generator for radiosynovectomy

¹⁶⁶Ho is one of the most effective radionuclides used for radiosynovectomy. One method to deliver this radioisotope to target tissue is via the ¹⁶⁶Dy/¹⁶⁶Ho in vivo generator system. The aim of this work was to prepare ¹⁶⁶Dy/¹⁶⁶Ho-chitosan (¹⁶⁶Dy/¹⁶⁶Ho-CHIT) in vivo generator for radiosynovectomy applications. ¹⁶⁶Dy obtained by the irradiation of natural ¹⁶⁴Dy target. ¹⁶⁶Dy was separated from ¹⁶⁶Ho by extraction chromatographic method (separation yield; 93% and separation factor;1.7). Chitosan labeling was performed in acetic acid with 99.3 ± 0.6% radiochemical purity. Biodistribution studies on intraarticular injected rats demonstrated high retention in the knee joint even 7 days showing no radioactivity leakage from the injection site into other organs as well as any translocation of the daughter nucleus after β^? decay of ¹⁶⁶Dy.     

Synthesis and biodistribution of a novel 99mTc nitrido radiopharmaceutical with proline dithiocarbamate as a potential tumor imaging agent

In the present study, proline dithiocarbamate (PRODTC) ligand was radiolabeled with the [^99mTc≡N]²⁺ core successfully to obtain the ^99mTcN-PRODTC complex with high radiochemical purity. No decomposition of the complex at room temperature was observed over a period of 6 h. Its partition coefficient indicated that it was a hydrophilic complex. The electrophoresis results showed that the complex was negative. The biodistribution of ^99mTcN-PRODTC in mice bearing S 180 tumor showed that the complex accumulated in the tumor with a certain uptake. The tumor/blood and tumor/muscle ratios reached 2.19 and 4.54 at 2 h post-injection, suggesting it would be a promising candidate for tumor imaging.     

Synthesis and evaluation of a phenylbenzothiazole-based 99mTc(CO)3-radiotracer for possible application in imaging of β-amyloid plaques in Alzheimer’s disease

The 2-phenyl benzothiazole pharmacophore is known to have high affinity for amyloid beta (Aβ) and is therefore derivatized, to [N-(4′-benzothiazol-pyridin-2-yl-methyl-amino)-acetic acid (BTPAA)] for radiolabeling with [^99mTc(CO)₃(H₂O)₃]⁺ precursor. The radiotracer, ^99mTc(CO)₃–BTPAA is evaluated in vitro and in vivo to determine its binding with the Aβ and ability to cross the blood brain barrier. The radiotracer prepared in >95 % radiochemical yield, showed ~25 % inhibition in presence of thioflavin-T, indicating its specificity towards aggregated Aβ protein. The radiotracer also showed brain uptake of 0.25 ± 0.04 % injected dose/g at 2 min post injection, indicating its ability to cross the blood brain barrier.     

99mTc-labeling of a dithiocarbamate-DWAY fragment using [99mTcN]2+ core for the preparation of potential 5HT1A receptor imaging agents

1-(2-methoxy phenyl) piperazine fragment of WAY100635 or its phenolic analogue, derived from DWAY is used to design the desired structure of 5HT_1A receptor imaging agents. In this study a DWAY analogue was labeled with ^99mTc-nitrido ([^99mTcN]²⁺) core via dithiocarbamate. 2-(piperazin-1-yl) phenol dithiocarbamate was synthesized by the reaction of 2-(piperazin-1-yl) phenol with an equivalent amount of carbon disulfide in KOH solution then radiolabeled with ^99mTc-nitrido core. The final complex was characterized by HPLC and its radiochemical purity was more than 90 %. In vitro stability studies have shown the complex was stable at least 4 h after labeling at room temperature. The n-octanol/water partition coefficient experiment demonstrated log p = 1.34 for ^99mTcN–OHPP–DTC. Biodistribution results showed that radio tracer had moderate brain uptake (0.39 ± 0.03 %ID/g at 15 min and 0.29 ± 0.02 %ID/g at 120 min) and good retention, suggesting that this complex may lead to a further development of a radiotracer with specific binding to 5-HT_1A receptor.     

Radioiodination, purification and bioevaluation of Piroxicam in comparison with Meloxicam for imaging of inflammation

The present study is performed to compare the electrophilic substitution radioiodination reaction of two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs namely, Piroxicam (Pirox) and Meloxicam (Melox) with ¹²⁵I where both chloramine-T (CAT) and iodogen were used as oxidizing agents. The factors affecting the percent of radiochemical yields such as drug concentration, pH of the reaction mixtures, different oxidizing agents, reaction time, temperature and different organic media were studied to optimize the conditions for labeling of Pirox and Melox and to obtain high radiochemical yields. The maximum radiochemical yield of ¹²⁵I-Piroxicam (¹²⁵I-Pirox) was 94% using 3.7 MBq of Na¹²⁵I, 0.4 mM of Pirox as substrate, 3.6 mM of chloramine-T (CAT) as oxidizing agent in acetone at neutral pH = 7 and at 60 °C within 20 min where the maximum radiochemical yield of ¹²⁵I-Melox was 92% using 0.7 mM of Melox as substrate, 0.62 mM of iodogen as oxidizing agent in acetone at neutral pH = 7 and at 25 °C within 30 min. The radiochemical yields were determined by TLC and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Tracers showed good localization in inflamed muscle either septic or sterile. The collected data indicates that Pirox and Melox can be used as antiinflammatory imaging agents at 24 and 2 h post injection, respectively.     

Development and evaluation of a 166holmium labelled porphyrin complex as a possible therapeutic agent

Porphyrins are interesting derivatives with low toxicity, tumor avidity and rapid wash-out suggested as potential radiopharmaceuticals in radiolabeled form. In this work, [¹⁶⁶Ho] labeled 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(phenyl) porphyrin ([¹⁶⁶Ho]-TPP) was prepared using [¹⁶⁶Ho]HoCl₃ and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(phenyl)porphyrin (H₂TPP) for 12 h at 50 °C (radiochemical purity: >95 ± 2 % ITLC, >99 ± 0.5 % HPLC, specific activity: 0.9–1.1 GBq/mmol). Stability of the complex was checked in final formulation and human serum for 48 h. The partition coefficient was calculated for the compound (log P = 2.01). The biodistribution of the labeled compound in vital organs of wild-type rats was studied using scarification studies and SPECT. A detailed comparative pharmacokinetic study performed for ¹⁶⁶Ho cation and [¹⁶⁶Ho]-TPP performed up to 24 h. The complex is mostly washed out from the circulation through kidneys and in less extends from the liver. The kidney:blood, kidney:liver and kidney:muscle ratios 4 h post injection were 14, 3.6 and 7.38 respectively.