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.     

Technetium-99 in “instant”99mTc-pertechnetate

The⁹⁹Tc-content in^99mTc-pertechnetate separated from⁹⁹Mo by distillation or extraction has been studied with a plastic scintillation detector. The identification of the measured activity was achieved by beta-spectrometry, chemical separation and half-life studies. The frequency distribution of the⁹⁹Tc/^99mTc-ratios in the different samples was observed to be log-normal. The most likely activity ratio was 0.4·10⁻⁶, the maximum value being 5·10⁻⁶. The specific activity of “instant” pertechnetate is approximately a factor of 60 lower than that normally recorded in pertechnetate derived from daily eluted column generators. The low specific activity of “instant” pertechnetate is primarily explained by the long time between separation and usage and secondly by the low yield of Tc in the distillation and extraction processes. In several of the “instant” pertechnetate solutions the carrier concentration exceeded the reductive capacity of the stannous ions in “kits” with small amounts of Sn(II) in usable form.     

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.     

Development of an instant99mTc labelled HIG kit for localization of infection/inflammation

The modified method of^99mTc-HIG peparation and quality control in our laboratory are reported. The results of phamacology and preliminary clinical evaluation show that the new agent is nearly ideal for localization of infectious/inflammatory lesions.     

Organic Synthesis and Technetium-99m Labeling of Some Amino-Phenol Ligands

We reported the synthesis and labeling of one tetradentate and two pentadentate amino-phenol ligands with technetium-99m by the direct pertechnetate addition and by ligand exchange methods. Labeling by direct pertechnetate addition was attended by adding pertechnetate eluate to the ethanolic solution of the amino-phenol ligands at pH 9. Stannous chloride dihydrate was used as reducing agent. Exchange studies were carried out via the use of the following ^99mTc-chelates: ^99mTc-DTPA, ^99mTc-gluconate, ^99mTc-tartrate and ^99mTc-citrate complexes. Ligand exchange method was achieved by incubation the ligand solutions with ^99mTc-co-ligands complexes in 0.05M bicarbonate buffer pH 9. At this pH value the ^99mTc-co-ligands dissociated and the more stable new ^99mTc-ligands were formed with high radiochemical yield 95%. The radiochemical yield of ^99mTc-labeled amino-phenol ligands were estimated by solvent extraction, electrophoresis and HPLC methods. The produced technetium-99m amino-phenol complexes were neutral, lipophilic and stable during the period of 24 hours.     

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 Radiopharmaceuticals for Ideal Myocardial Perfusion Imaging: Lost and Found Opportunities

The favorable nuclear properties in combination with the rich coordination chemistry make technetium-99m the radioisotope of choice for the development of myocardial perfusion tracers. In the early 1980s, [^99mTc]Tc-Sestamibi, [^99mTc]Tc-Tetrofosmin, and [^99mTc]Tc-Teboroxime were approved as commercial radiopharmaceuticals for myocardial perfusion imaging in nuclear cardiology. Despite its peculiar properties, the clinical use of [^99mTc]Tc-Teboroxime was quickly abandoned due to its rapid myocardial washout. Despite their widespread clinical applications, both [^99mTc]Tc-Sestamibi and [^99mTc]Tc-Tetrofosmin do not meet the requirements of an ideal perfusion imaging agent due to their relatively low first-pass extraction fraction and high liver absorption. An ideal radiotracer for myocardial perfusion imaging should have a high myocardial uptake; a high and stable target-to-background ratio with low uptake in the lungs, liver, stomach during the image acquisition period; a high first-pass myocardial extraction fraction and very rapid blood clearance; and a linear relationship between radiotracer myocardial uptake and coronary blood flow. Although it is difficult to reconcile all these properties in a single tracer, scientific research in the field has always channeled its efforts in the development of molecules that are able to meet the characteristics of ideality as much as possible. This short review summarizes the developments in ^99mTc myocardial perfusion tracers, which are able to fulfill hitherto unmet medical needs and serve a large population of patients with heart disease, and underlines their strengths and weaknesses, the lost and found opportunities thanks to the developments of the new ultrafast SPECT technologies.     

Radiolabeling, quality control and kit formulation of a new 99mTc-labeled antibiotic: 99mTc-doxycycline hyclate

Since radiolabeled antibiotics specifically bind to the bacterial components they are promising radiopharmaceuticals for the precise diagnosis and detection of infectious lesions. Doxycycline hyclate (DOX) was chosen to investigate as a new radiolabeled antibacterial agent since its bacteriostatic activity against a wide variety of microorganisms. The aim of the present study is to develop simple and easy formulation of DOX with ^99mTc ready to use kit. ^99mTc-DOX was developed and standardized under varying conditions of reducing and antioxidant agent concentration, pH, radioactivity dose and reducing agent type. Labeling studies were performed by changing the selected parameters one by one and optimum labeling conditions were determined. After observing the conditions for maximum labeling efficiency and stability, lyophilized freeze dry kits were prepared accordingly. Radiochemical purity was determined with RTLC and RHPLC which was found more than >95 %. Two different freeze dry kits were formulated with optimum labeling conditions. The improved kits were found stable up to 6 months.     

Technetium-99m extraction and transport across tri-n-octylamine-xylene based supported liquid membranes

The nuclear properties of^99mTc radionuclide are ideal for organ imaging. Study of the technetium transport across supported liquid membranes has been performed to get data for its separation from other elements. Tri-n-octylamine diluted in xylene was used to constitute the liquid membranes, supported in polypropylene microporous films. Stripping on the product solution side was performed with dilute NaOH solutions. The effect of sulphuric acid, nitric acid and hydrochloric acid in the feed on transport of^99mTc as TcO ₄ ^– ions has been studied. The permeability of the given ions determined from kinetic activity data has been found to be in the order of PH₂SO₄>PHCl>PHNO₃. The flux values have been calculated based on this permeability data. The increase in carrier concentration has shown an increase in flux and permeability values to a given optimum concentration. The increase in temperature has been found to reduce the transport of Tc ions. The optimum conditions for transport of^99mTc for the given acid concentration have been determined. Mechanism of Tc ion transport has also been provided based on chemical reactions involved at the membrane interfaces and uptake of Tc ions by the membrane. MoO ₄ ^2– ions do not permeate through membrane under optimum conditions of transport for TcO ₄ ^2– ions from H₂SO₄ solution.     

Synthesis,physicochemical and in vitro biological evaluation of 99mTc-cefepime radioconjugates,and development of DTPA-cefepime single vial kit formulation for labelling with technetium-99m

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - In the present work the synthesis, physicochemical properties and biological evaluation of cefepime (CFM) labelled with technetium-99m were...     

Technetium-99m labeling of hippuric and p-amino-hippuric acid in the presence of DTPA: Biological and pharmacokinetic evaluation and comparison with99mTc-DTPA

^99mTc-Hipp as a modified^99mTc-DTPA, and^99mTc-PAH as a new renal agent are developed. Each veal of lyophilised kit contain hippuric (Hipp) or p-aminohippuric acid (PAH), diethyltriaminepentaacetic acid as calciumtrisodium salt (CaNa₃DTPA) and stannouschloride (SnCl₂·xH₂O), in molar ratio Hipp/PAH:DTPA=4∶1. They are high radiochemical purity radiopharmaceuticals, with hydrophilic character and low percentage of protein binding. The ITL chromatography and HPLC analyses of these labeled compounds have shown almost identical results as^99mTc-DTPA, but their biological behavior in rats confirm certain differences.^99mTc-Hipp is a renal agent clearing by the glomerular system, with better pharmacokinetical parameters than^99mTc-DTPA:t _1/2(α)=4.1 min,t _1/2(β)=198.6 min,K _cl=1.2·10⁻²min⁻¹ and a twofold value for blood clearance (Cl=2.07 ml/min).^99mTc-PAH is a quite different renal agent, rapidly secreted by kidney as a tubular secretion agent. Its pharmacokinetical parameters:t _1/2(α)=2.5 min,t _1/2(β)=41.7 min andK _cl=5.1·10⁻⁴ min⁻¹ are almost equal to those of^99mTc-MAG₃, but the blood clearance of Cl=5.22 ml/min is even higher than that of IOH clearance.     

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.     

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.     

Preconcentration and Analysis of Strontium-90 and Technetium-99 from Hanford Groundwater Using Solid Phase Extraction

Solid-phase extraction disks produced by 3M and Eichrom were evaluated for routine use in supporting the Hanford Groundwater Monitoring Project. Both disk formats contain Sr- or Tc-selective extractants, bound in a filter support, that act to preconcentrate and isolate the isotope of interest. The 3M Empore Sr Rad Disks and Tc Rad Disks were tested with respect to precision, accuracy, radiochemical yields, interferences, and volume-load variation. The Empore and Eichrom solid-phase extraction disks were applied to the ⁹⁰Sr and/or ⁹⁹Tc determination in representative Hanford groundwater samples with varying chemical and isotopic compositions. Results were compared to standard analytical methods. Both the Empore and Eichrom Tc extraction disks produced consistently higher radiochemical yields, lower detection limits, and greater accuracy than the standard analysis method. The Empore Sr extraction disks produced comparable radiochemical yields, detection limit, and accuracy relative to the standard method; however, total uncertainties were lower.     

Technetium-99m-based simple and convenient radiolabeling of Escherichia coli for in vivo tracking of microorganisms

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - We herein report a convenient radiolabeling method capable of real-time in vivo imaging and biodistribution of bacteria in a living subject....     

Studies of the chemical and biological properties of the bone and acute myocardial imaging agent99mTc-PYP

Correlation between the in vivo distribution and the chemical formulation of^99mTc-PYP complex has been studied. We chose mice to evaluate in vivo biodistribution and gel chromatography column scanning technique for radiochemical analysis. The influence of the pH, Sn(II), pyrophosphate concentration and molar ratios of Sn: PYP on the labelling of pyp with^99mTc has been investigated in vitro and in vivo. The reaction between^99mTc and Sn-PYP was complete within a few minutes. The stability studies were evaluated against dilution. Induced myocardial infarction was evaluated in rats. The clinical evaluation showed excellent definition of sternum and ribs with little blood background activity with normal subjects. Discrete localization of abnormally high activity was shown in the site of recent infarction of the left ventricular myocardium.     

Synthesis, biodistribution and evaluation of 99mTc-sitafloxacin kit: a novel infection imaging agent

Radiosynthesis of ^99mTc-sitafloxacin (^99mTc-STF) complex and its efficacy as a potential infection imaging agent was evaluated. Effect of sitafloxacin (STF) concentration, sodium pertechnetate (Na^99mTcO₄), stannous chloride dihydrate (SnCl₂·2H₂O), and pH on the % radiochemical purity yield (RCP) of ^99mTc-STF complex was studied. A stable ^99mTc-STF complex up to 120 min with maximum %RCP yield was observed by mixing 2 mg of STF with 3 mCi of Na^99mTcO₄ and 150 μL of SnCl₂·2H₂O (1 μg/μL in 0.01 N HCl) at a pH 5.5. Artificially infected rats with Staphylococcus aureus were used for studying the biodistribution behavior of the ^99mTc-STF complex. After 30 min of the intravenous (I.V.) administration of the ^99mTc-STF complex, 7.50 ± 0.10% was absorbed in the infected thigh of the rats and the uptake gradually increased to 18.50 ± 0.20% within 90 min. Rabbits with artificially induced infection were used for evaluating the scintigraphic accuracy. Higher uptake in the infected thigh was observed after 2 h of I.V. administration of the ^99mTc-STF complex. Target to non-target organ ratio of the % absorbed dose incase of infected/normal muscle was 6.82 ± 0.40, 17.11 ± 0.60, and 23.13 ± 1.00% at 30, 60 and 90 min of administration. Stable and higher %RCP, higher uptake in the infected thigh, and spectral studies, recommend the ^99mTc-STF for routine infection imaging.     

99mTc标记COI配合物的制备及其用作心室显像剂的初步研究

通过改变异腈配体的结构和配合物的中心核,以期获得标记方法简单、放化纯度高以及生物性能优良的新型心室显像剂.以环辛胺为原料,通过甲酰胺化和脱水两步反应制得配体环辛基异腈(COI),并以氯化亚锡为还原剂和二硫代肼基甲酸甲酯为供氮体,通过配体交换反应得到放化纯度大于95%的^99mTcN-COI标记物.以氯化亚锡为还原剂直接标记制得放化纯度大于95%的^99mTc-COI配合物.两种标记物在室温下放置6h以上,其放化纯度无明显变化.在正常昆明小鼠体内进行的生物分布实验研究结果显示,^99mTcN-COI和^99mTc-COI在心脑中有一定摄取,但肝、肺及血等本底摄取相对较高.二者在血液中都有很高的浓集,且滞留也很好,其中^99mTc-COI配合物在静脉注射后60min时的血/心、血/肝和血/肺摄取比分别为6.67,1.54和2.07,有望成为一种新型的制备方法简单的心室显像剂.     

Determination of molybdenum in biological materials by combined extraction of99Mo and99mTc

Combined extraction of⁹⁹Mo and its daughter-product^99mTc enables a rapid determination of molybdenum in biological samples by neutron activation analysis. A procedure and its application to standard kale powder and standard animal blood are reported.