<Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc(CO)<Subscript>3</Subscript>-tosufloxacin dithiocarbamate complexation and radiobiological evaluation in male Wister rat model

The uranium ingot casting process is one of the steps which consolidate uranium deposits produced by electrorefiner in an ingot form in a pryprocessing technique. Since molten uranium metal reacts with a graphite crucible when the uranium is being dissolved, a graphite crucible cannot be used. Accordingly, a ceramic material must be selected which does not react with the dissolving uranium and this must be used as a coating material on the graphite crucible surface. As to this research, a reactivity experiments were performed between the coating layer and uranium by applying a thermal spray coating to the graphite material with alumina and YSZ ceramic material. As shown in the experimental result, the YSZ coating layer showed a stronger adhesive property on the side where there is no Ni–Al binding material. Moreover, no reaction was apparent between the YSZ coating layer and the uranium. Accordingly, the YSZ material and the process of thermal spray coating are considered to solve the reactive problem between uranium and a graphite crucible.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of fatty acid derivatives for myocardial imaging containing [<Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc(CO)<Subscript>3</Subscript>]<Superscript>+</Superscript>

Radiolabeled fatty acids as myocardial metabolic agent are used for detecting ischemic heart disease, however, no ^99mTc-labeled fatty acids have potential use in clinical diagnosis. In this work, five fatty acid analogues labeled with ^99mTc were firstly synthesized and characterized, their biological behaviors were investigated. All Radiotracers had good stability when incubated in rat serum for 3 h at 37 °C. ^99mTc -CpT-12-ODPPA (8b) showed higher initial myocardial uptake (8.17% ID/g at 1 min postinjection) and good heart/blood ratio (2.58 at 30 min postinjection). ^99mTc-11-dpa-OUFA (2b) as positively charged lipophilic compounds had reasonable heart uptake (5.59% ID/g at 1 min postinjection) and good retention (1.89% ID/g at 60 min postinjection). Unfortunately, no great improvement was obtained by the five ^99mTc-labeled fatty acid analogues for the short myocardial retention and poor heart/liver ratios.     

Synthesis and biodistribution of the <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc(CO)<Subscript>3</Subscript>-DEDT complex as a potential new radiopharmaceutical for brain imaging

The ^99mTc(CO)₃(H₂O)-DEDT complex was prepared by a two-step procedure involving the preparation of the precursor fac-[^99mTc(CO)₃(H₂O)₃]⁺, followed by the addition of sodium salt of diethyl dithiocarbamate (DEDT). The radiochemical purity (RCP) of the product was over 90% as measured by thin layer chromatography (TLC). No decomposition of the complex at room temperature was observed over a period of 6 hours. Its partition coefficient indicated that it was a lipophilic complex. The electrophoresis results showed the complex was neutral. Biodistribution in mice demonstrated that the complex can penetrate the intact blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the brain uptake (ID%/g) was 4.22 at 5-minute post-injection, suggesting the complex may lead to a further development of the radiopharma ceutical as a brain perfusion tracer.     

Determination of radionuclidic impurities in <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc eluate from <Superscript>99</Superscript>Mo/<Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc generator for quality control

Technetium-99m is the principal radioisotope used in medical diagnostics; radionuclidic impurity is the major concern of its quality. This work presents a analytical method for sequential determination of all radionuclidic impurities listed in pharmacopoeia including gamma emitters, alpha emitters, ⁸⁹Sr and ⁹⁰Sr. Radioactive decay for removal of ^99mTc, ion exchange and extraction chromatography for removal of ⁹⁹Mo and ⁹⁹Tc are effective for separation of interferences. Gamma spectrometry, LSC with alpha/beta discrimination, and Cherenkov counting using LSC are sensitive methods for measurement of the impurity radionuclides. The detection limits of this method are well meet the requirement of the quality control according to the limitation of the pharmacopoeia.     

Synthesis and biodistribution of a novel <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc complex of HYNIC-conjugated metronidazole as a potential tumor hypoxia imaging agent

A conjugate of 6-hydrazinopyridine-3-carboxylic acid (HYNIC) with the amino analogue of metronidazole (MN) was synthesized through a multiple-step reaction. HYNIC-MN could be labeled easily and efficiently with ^99mTc using N-(2-hydroxy-1,1-bis(hydroxymethyl)ethyl)glycine (tricine) and ethylenediamine -N,N′-diacetic acid (EDDA) as coligands to form the ^99mTc–HYNIC–MN complex in high yield (>95%). Its partition coefficient indicated that it was a good hydrophilic complex. The tumor cell experiment showed that the ^99mTc–HYNIC–MN complex had a certain hypoxic selectivity. The biodistribution studies of ^99mTc–HYNIC–MN in Kunming mice bearing S180 tumor showed a favorable tissue distribution profile with high tumor uptake, and low or negligible accumulation in non-target organs, suggesting ^99mTc–HYNIC–MN would be a novel potential tumor hypoxia imaging agent.     

Preparation of <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc-PQQ and preliminary biological evaluation for the NMDA receptor

Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), an essential nutrient, antioxidant, redox modulator and nerve growth factor found in a class of enzymes called quinoproteins, was labeled with ^99mTc by using stannous fluoride (SnF₂) method. Radiolabeling qualification, quality control and characterization of ^99mTc-PQQ and its biodistribution studies in mice were performed and discussed. Effects of pH values, temperature, time and reducing agents concentration on the radiolabeling yield were investigated. The quality control procedure of ^99mTc-PQQ was determined by thin layer chromatography (TLC), radio high-performance liquid chromatography (RHPLC) and paper electrophoresis methods. The average radiolabeling yield was 94 ± 1% under optimum conditions of 0.99 mg of PQQ, 30 μg of SnF₂, 0.5 mg of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt (EDTA-2Na) and 18.5 MBq of Na^99mTcO₄ at pH 6 and 25 °C with a response volume of 1 ± 0.1 mL. ^99mTc-PQQ was stable and anionic. Lipid–water partition coefficient of ^99mTc-PQQ was −1.49 ± 0.16. The pharmacokinetics parameters of ^99mTc-PQQ were t _1/2α = 18.16 min, t _1/2β = 100.45 min, K ₁₂ = 0.013 min⁻¹, K ₂₁ = 0.017 min⁻¹, K _e = 0.016 min⁻¹, AUC (area under the curve) = 1040.78 ID% g⁻¹ min and CL (plasma clearance) = 0.096 mL min⁻¹. The dual-exponential equation was Y = 10.88e^−0.038t  + 5.21e^−0.0069t . The biodistribution of ^99mTc-PQQ was studied in ICR (Institute for Cancer Research 7701 Burhelme Are., Fox Chase, Philadelphia, PA 1911 USA) mice. In vitro autoradiographic studies clearly showed that the ^99mTc-PQQ radioactivity accumulated predominantly in the hippocampus and cortex, which had a high density of N-methyl-d-aspartate Receptor (NMDAR). The enrichment can be blocked by NMDAR redox modulatory site antagonists-ebselen (EB) and ^99mTc-PQQ is therefore a promising candidate for the molecular imaging of NMDAR. To date, however, there have been no studies characterizing ^99mTc-PQQ.     

Preparation of <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc-metronidazole as a model for tumor imaging

Metronidazole (MTNZ) is an antiprotozoa drug, could be labeled with the ^99mTc. MTZL could be used as an ideal vehicle to deliver radioactive decay energy of ^99mTc to the sites of tumor, thus facilitate tumor imaging. The process of labeling was done using tin chloride as reducing agent. The optimum conditions required to label 25 μg MTZL were 100 μg stannous chloride, 30 min reaction time, room temperature at pH 7–9 using 0.5 M phosphate buffer. The radiochemical purity of the labeled compound, at the above conditions, was determined using paper chromatography. The yield was about 93%. About 2.5 × l0⁶ of Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) was injected intrapritoneally (i.p) to produce ascites and intramuscularly (i.m) in the right thigh to produce solid tumor in female mice. Biodistribution studies were carried out by injecting solution of ^99mTc-MTZL in normal and tumor bearing mice. The uptake in ascites was over 5% of the injected dose per gram tissue body weight, at 4 h post injection and above 4% in solid tumor. These data revealed localization of the tracer in the tumor tissues with high percentage sufficient to use ^99 mTc MTZL as promising tool for diagnosis of tumor.     

Preparation of <Superscript>95m</Superscript>Tc radiotracer

Several procedures for preparation of the ^95mTc radiotracer following irradiation of a thin Mo target with deuterons were tested. The procedures consisting of alkaline-oxidative fusion of the irradiated target in a mixture of Na₂O₂ + NaOH and subsequent liquid–liquid extraction with 2-butanone, and acid decomposition of the target in a mixture of H₂SO₄ + HNO₃ followed by extraction chromatography with PAN-Aliquat 336 composite material appeared suitable for the given purpose.     

A novel electrochemical <Superscript>99</Superscript>Mo/<Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc generator

A novel electrochemical process to avail clinical grade ^99mTc from (n,γ)⁹⁹Mo has been demonstrated. The electrochemical parameters were optimized to maximize the ^99mTc yield with minimal ⁹⁹Mo contamination. ⁹⁹Mo/^99mTc generators containing up to 29.6 GBq (800 mCi) ⁹⁹Mo were developed and their performance were extensively evaluated for 10 days without changing the operating conditions. Very high radioactive concentration of ^99mTcO₄ ⁻ of acceptable quality, commensurate with hospital radiopharmacy requirements could be availed from the system with >90% yield. The compatibility of the product for the formulation of ^99mTc labeled radiopharmaceuticals such as ^99mTc-DMSA and ^99mTc-EC was found to be satisfactory in terms of high labeling yields. The proposed route represents an important step for enhancing the scope of accessing clinical grade ^99mTc from low specific activity (n, γ)⁹⁹Mo.     

The interaction of <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc with pyrimidine compounds

The reaction of ^99mTc of different oxidation states (+7, +4) with 2-thiouracil and 5-nitrobarbituric acid have been studied at different temperatures, pH and concentrations. The reaction mixtures have been analyzed at different times using thin layer chromatography (TLC) and a radio detector to show the peaks at the plates. ^99mTc is obtained from the Mo generators with oxidation state (+7). The use of SnCl₂ as a reducing agent gave ^99mTc with oxidation state (+4). It is very difficult to separate the complexes formed from the reactions in very small concentration. The percentage of ^99mTc and its oxidation state involved in the complexes can be determined. The labeling efficiencies (percentage of complex) in the reaction of ^99mTc⁺⁷ with 5-nitro-barbituric-acid increases mostly at pH  10. Both oxidation states of ^99mTc(+7, +4) can be detected at pH’s 4 and 10, but at pH  4, the reduced form ^99mTCO₂, is more pronounced. At pH  7 no complexes were detected and most of ^99mTc remains as ^99mTCO₄ ⁻ . By increasing the ligand concentration, the labeling efficiencies of the complex increases. For the reaction of ^99mTc of oxidation states (+4, +7) with 2-thiouracil at different temperatures and analytical times it is concluded that several complexes with different R_f values were observed in equilibrium and most of these complexes were unstable.     

Preparation,characterization and biodistribution of the <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc-salicylidenediamine-N-dione complex

A tetradentate set of N₂O₂ salicylaldehyde-amine-N-dione Schiff base was prepared by condensation with salicylaldehyde, ethylenediamine, 2,4-dione and reduction with NaBH₄. The ligand system was characterized by ¹H-NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy and HPLC. Radiolabeling studies of the ^99mTc-complex were performed using stannous ions as the reducing agent. The purity of the complex was determined by ascending solvent system on paper chromatography and instant thin-layer chromatography (ITLC). The yield of the complex was >90%. Biodistribution of the ^99mTc-complex of the precursor was studied in rabbits. A significant uptake and retention of injected activity was observed in the liver and cleared through the bladder. A faint activity was also observed in kidneys. These results indicate that the proposed system may be suitable for development of a liver/spleen imaging agent for future clinical applications.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of a novel <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc complex of HYNIC-conjugated aminomethylenediphosphonate as a potential bone imaging agent

A conjugate of 6-hydrazinopyridine-3-carboxylic acid (HYNIC) with aminomethylenediphosphonic acid (AMDP) was synthesized through a multiple-step reaction. HYNIC–AMDP could be labeled easily and efficiently with ^99mTc using N-(2-hydroxy-1,1-bis(hydroxymethyl)ethyl)glycine (tricine) as coligand to form the ^99mTc–HYNIC–AMDP complex in high yield (> 95%). Its partition coefficient indicated that it was a good hydrophilic complex. The biodistribution studies of ^99mTc–HYNIC–AMDP in normal ICR mice showed that this complex had high bone uptake and low or negligible accumulation in non-target organs. As compared with ^99mTc–MDP, ^99mTc–HYNIC–AMDP had a higher bone uptake and the ratios of bone/blood and bone/muscle at early time after injection, suggesting that it could be potentially useful for bone imaging at an earlier time after injection according to further investigations of the biological behavior of this complex.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc-HEDTA/HYNIC-MPP4 complex for 5-HT<Subscript>1A</Subscript> receptor imaging

5-HT_1A receptor is associated with a variety of pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders. Accordingly, we have synthesized a new 5-HT_1A receptor ligand (HYNIC-MPP4) and labeled it with ^99mTc using N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA) as coligand. ^99mTc-HEDTA/HYNIC-MPP4 was prepared under pH 6 at room temperature. Biodistribution of 99mTc-HEDTA/HYNIC-MPP4 in normal mice showed that this complex had moderate brain uptake (0.60% ID·g⁻¹ at 2 min p.i.) and good retention. The hippocampus had the highest radioactivity uptake at 2 min p.i. (1.84% ID⋆g⁻¹). The ratio of Hipp/CB was 3.1 at 2 min p.i. and increased to 4.4 at 60 min p.i. After blocking with 8-hydroxy-2-(dipropylamino) tetralin, the uptake of hippocampus was decreased significantly from 1.84% ID·g⁻¹ to 0.53% ID·g⁻¹ at 2 min p.i., while the cerebellum had no significant decrease. This ^99mTc complex could be a potent agent for 5-HT_1A receptor imaging. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20401004) and the Analysis and Test fund of Beijing Normal University     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc labeled aryl piperazine derivatives as cerebral radiotracers

The aim of this study is to develop cerebral radiotracers for central nervous system receptors imaging. The synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of two aryl piperazine ^99mTc-radiocomplexes based on the piano stool motif [CpM(CO₃)] (Cp = cyclopentadienyl, M = ^99mTc/Re) is reported. The ^99mTc-radiocomplexes were obtained quickly (time < 5 min) with high radiochemical yields. The ^99mTc-radiocomplexes characterized by high performance liquid chromatography comparison with the rhenium surrogates have both a suitable lipophilicity and are able to cross the blood brain barrier with 0.43 ± 0.05 and 1.96 ± 0.06% ID/g of brain uptake, at 10 min post injection.     

Activity standardization of <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc using liquid scintillation counting method

The Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) participated in the BIPM.RI(II)-K4.Tc-99 m comparison of activity measurements of ^99mTc. We develop the national primary standard for ^99mTc solution used during the comparison. We use two primary liquid scintillation counting techniques for the standardization: digital coincidence counting with the 4πβ(LS)-γ(NaI(T1))system and triple-to-double coincidence ratio counting. Both methods give consistent results for the specific activity of a ^99mTc solution. Adopting the result from the DCC method as the reference value of the ^99mTc measurement, we evaluate the standard uncertainty of 0.856% for the KRISS primary standard of the ^99mTc activity. The K4 comparison result shows that the newly-established KRISS primary standard lies within the standard uncertainty with the key comparison reference value defined from other ^99mTc measurements.     

Preparation and biodistribution in mice of <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc-DTPA-b-cyanocobalamin

Summary Cyanocobalamin (CNCbl), a kind of vitamin B12 (cobalamin, Cbl), which has a special binding capability to rapid dividing cells and proliferating tissue, especially tumors, has been modified and labeled by ^99mTc. The optimal labeling condition was determined, and the biodistribution of ^99mTc-DTPA-b-CNCbl both in normal mice and TA₂ mice bearing MA891 mammary tumors were studied. ^99mTc-DTPA-b-CNCbl showed low uptake and rapid clearance in nontarget tissues, and renal excretion. About 40% of uptake at 1 hour remained in the tumor at 12 hours p.i. The satisfying ratio of T/NT was acquired at 6 hours p.i.     

Importance of DMSA stability,its consequence for Sn(DMSA)<Subscript>2</Subscript> complex formation and relevance to <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc-DMSA radipharmacs preparation

The dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) stability at pH = 3.8, 7.1, 8.8 and the interaction with SnCl₂·2H₂O were investigated. The degradation of DMSA is the most significant at alkali pH. There where observed oxidized and dimerized forms of DMSA and fumaric acid presence. Progress of instability is less substantial and slower under neutral reaction conditions. At acidic pH the concentration of soluble DMSA decreases with the time. The ligand forms with SnCl₂ complex under alkali pH = 8.8 and its chemical formula was determined as Sn(DMSA)_2.     

Synthesis and biodistribution of a novel <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc-DMSA-metronidazole ester as a potential tumor hypoxia imaging agent

The dimercaptosuccinic acid metronidazole ester (DMSAMe) was synthesized and radiolabeled with ^99mTc to form the ^99mTc-DMSAMe complex in high yield. The radiochemical purity of the ^99mTc-DMSAMe complex was over 90%, as measured by TLC and by HPLC, without any notable decomposition at room temperature over a period of 6 h. Its partition coefficient indicated that it was a lipophilic complex. The tumor cell experiment and the biodistribution in mice bearing S 180 tumor showed that the ^99mTc-DMSAMe complex had a certain hypoxic selectivity and accumulated in the tumor with high uptake and good retention. The tumor/blood and tumor/muscle ratios increased with time, suggesting it would be a possible tumor hypoxia imaging agent.     

Synthesis,radiolabeling and stability of new nitrophenol complexes of <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc as possible hypoxia imaging radiopharmaceuticals

Summary The synthesis of the seven ^99mTc-labeled nitrophenol radiosensitizers (N₂OS chelates) was undertaken for evaluation of their biostability in vitro as possible hypoxia tumor imaging agents. The title compounds (2-7)were successively synthesized, characterized, and finally radiolabeled (^99mTc-NaTcO₄, stannous chloride, pH 10) to obtain the new complexes (8a-8f) for evaluation. The purity and stability of the final complexes (in human and rat serum) were evaluated by chromatographic methods (radio-TLC, ITLC, HPLC). The most stable complex over 6 hours was shown to be ^99mTc-labeled 3-[3'-N-(2”-hydroxy-5”-nitrobenzylamino)-2'-propanol]-1-(4'-methyl)thiourea (8e). Biodistribution studies of 8ein tumor-bearing rats are under investigation.     

<Superscript>99</Superscript>Mo/<Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc generators based on aluminum molybdate gel matrix prepared by nano method

A procedure for preparation of ⁹⁹Mo/^99mTc radioisotope generator based on low specific activity neutron activated ⁹⁹Mo was developed. Aluminum molybdate(VI)-⁹⁹Mo of high Mo(VI) content (~?364 mg/g Al⁹⁹Mo) was prepared by mixing low specific activity molybdate(VI)-⁹⁹Mo and aluminum mixture solution with isoamyl alcohol. Al⁹⁹Mo gel matrix was precipitated when the pH of the mixture solution was raised to ~?5 by addition of NaOH to the mixture. Radiometric measurements indicate the strong fixation of Molybdate(VI)-⁹⁹Mo species in the form of the sparingly insoluble Al⁹⁹Mo gel matrix. The prepared AlMo gel matrix was physiochemically characterized. Al⁹⁹Mo gel matrix was used as a base material for preparation of ⁹⁹Mo/^99mTc generator. The ^99mTc eluted from ⁹⁹Mo/^99mTc radioisotope generator was found to have relatively high elution yield (84?±?2.3%), radionuclidic (≥?99.99%), radiochemical (98.1?±?0.9%) and chemical purity.