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.     

Novel tetradentate diamine dioxime ligands: synthesis,characterization and in vivo behavior of their 99mTc‐complexes

Two novel diamine dioxime ligands, 4,7‐diaza‐3,8‐diethyldecane‐2,9‐dione bis oxime (3) and 4,9‐diaza‐3,10‐diethyldodecane‐2,11‐dione bis oxime (5), were synthesized in order to develop new brain perfusion imaging agents, based on ^99mTc(V)‐complexes. The synthesis involved condensation of 2‐hydroxyimino‐3‐pentanone with appropriate diamine in protic solvent which afforded the bis imine adducts. Subsequent reduction of imine functional groups yielded a diastereoisomeric mixture of 3 and 5. UV–visible, IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and elemental analysis were used to characterize the structures of the synthesized compounds. ^99mTc‐complexes of both diamine dioximes were prepared and radiolabeling conditions optimized to give the maximum yield. Physicochemical parameters of the labeled complexes as well as and their biodistribution in rats were investigated. Both compounds (3 and 5) formed ^99mTc‐complexes with a net charge of zero, determined by electrophoresis. The resultant lipophilic ^99mTc‐complexes of 3 and 5 were readily formed at pH ~9.0 within 10 min at room temperature with yields of 90% and 95%, respectively. The ^99mTc‐3 complex was found to be stable within 1 h, while ^99mTc‐5 was stable for a few hours. A significant brain uptake of ^99mTc‐3 (2.1% injected dose) and ^99mTc‐5 (1.8% injected dose) complexes, 2 min after injection, is in accordance with their lipophilicity. The present study suggests that both ligands are promising candidates as new ^99mTc‐based brain‐imaging agents. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

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.     

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.     

Radioanalytical studies of99mTc-labelled colloids and macromolecules with gel chromatography column scanning technique

The gel chromatography column scanning (GCS) method was used for the present radioanalytical study of^99mTc labelled colloids and macromolecules. The sample to be analyzed was applied at the top of a column filled with gel to a height of 300 mm. Gels investigated included Sephadex G 25, Sepharose 2B, 4B, 6B (Pharmacia Fine Chemicals, Uppsala, Sweden) and BioGel A-150m (Bio Rad, Richmond, Cal., USA). Initially the gels were analyzed according to their chromatographic column caracteristics both for^99mTc pertechnetate and for colloids. A standardized technique was then used to compare colloids labelled in different ways with^99mTc. The column was developed with 10.0 ml 0.9% NaCl solution. Thereafter the column, which still retains all the radioactivity, was scanned with a slit collimated NaI(Tl)-crystal detector. The scanning profile gives information on the size distribution of the labelled colloids and the presence of other^99mTc-labelled species in the preparation. The above method has been used for comparative studies of various^99mTc-sulfur colloids and^99mTc−Sb-sulfur colloid (Philips-Duphar). Colloid formation has also been studied by electrolytically labelling human serum albumin.     

Evaluation of labelling conditions,quality control and biodistribution study of 99mTc-5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA): a potential liver imaging agent

Labelling of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) with ^99mTc was achieved by using SnCl₂·2H₂O as reducing agent. Radiochemical purity and labelling efficiency was determined by instant thin layer chromatography/paper chromatography. Efficiency of labelling was dependent on many parameters such as amount of ligand, reducing agent, pH, and time of incubation. ^99mTc labelled 5-ALA remained stable for 24 h in human serum. Tissue biodistribution of ^99mTc-5-ALA was evaluated in Sprague–Dawley rats. Biodistribution study (% ID/g) in rats revealed that ^99mTc-5-ALA was accumulated significantly in liver, spleen, stomach and intestine after half hour, 4 and 24 h. Significant activity was noted in bladder and urine at 4 h. High liver uptake of ^99mTc-5-ALA makes it a promising liver imaging agent.     

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.     

99mTc-labelled compounds prepared with tungsten(III) as the reducing agent

The application of K₃W₂Cl₉ as reducing agent in preparation of^99mTc-labelled compounds is described. Pertechnetate reduction was carried out in solutions of pH 2 and also of pH 5.5. DTPA, citrate, gluconate, HEDSPA and MDP were successfully labelled. Two types of labelled gluconate complexes were obtained. Complex I exhibited in rats an increased^99mTc affinity to kidneys (21%). Complex II exhibited an increased^99mTc affinity to bone (8.7%). Two types of labelled HEDSPA preparations were obtained: one yielded 29%^99mTc activity in bone, the other type exhibited only 13.4%. The results indicated the absence of mixed complexes.     

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.     

<Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc-exorphin C: A new peptide radiopharmaceutical for tumor imaging

Summary The aim of this study was to label exorphin C with ^99mTc and to examine its usefulness as opioid receptor binding radiopharmaceutical in Albino Wistar rats. Exorphin C, which is a peptide with 5 aminoacids, was labeled with ^99mTc using glucoheptonate (GH) as a bifunctional chelating agent. Labeling efficiency was higher than 98%. The compound was stable for at least 5 hours at room temperature. Mammary tumor bearing Albino Wistar rats were imaged using gamma-camera. Biodistribution studies were also performed. Results demonstrated that ^99mTc-glucoheptonate-exorphin C (^99mTc-GE) analogs may be useful as a new class of receptor-binding peptides for the diagnosis and therapy of some cancer diseases related with opioid receptor-expressing tissues.     

Synthesis and bio‐evaluation of Tc‐99 m‐labeled fatty acid derivatives for myocardial metabolism imaging

¹¹C, ¹⁸F and ¹²³I fatty acids are used for myocardial imaging, and ^99mTc‐labeled fatty acids are more desirable substitutes than other radiolabeled fatty acids. In the work reported, [^99mTc]‐CpTT‐10‐oxo‐FPA ( 1c ), [^99mTc]‐CpTT‐12‐oxo‐FPA ( 2c ), [^99mTc]‐CpTT‐14‐oxo‐FPA ( 3c ) and [^99mTc]‐CpTT‐16‐oxo‐FPA ( 4c ) were prepared with 60.76–70.92% of radiochemical yield and purity of more than 95%. These radiotracers ( 1c , 2c , 3c , 4c ) were chemically stable when incubated in Sprague Dawley rat serum for 3 h at 37 °C. Tissue distribution studies in female mice indicated that 2c had high initial heart uptake (8.84%ID g^?1 at 1 min post‐injection) and 4c had long retention in the heart (1.45%ID g^?1 at 30 min post‐injection). Metabolite analysis showed 4c could be metabolized to 5c via β‐oxidation with loss of two ? CH₂? in the myocardium, the radiometabolite being excreted via urine. However, low heart uptake suggested that 4c cannot be used as a diagnostic imaging agent. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of DTPA-attached estradiol derivative and determination of its radiopharmaceutical potential

Summary An estrogen derivative, β-estradiol or 1,3,5,(10)-estratriene-3,17β-diol) attached to diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) was synthesized in six experimental steps. At the end of these steps, a DTPA-attached estradiol derivative called deoxy-demethyl homoestradiolyl-diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid (ESTDTPA) was obtained. The synthesized compounds were labeled with ^99mTc. Thin layer radio chromatography (TLRC) was used to determine radiochemical yields and stabilities.Structural investigations confirmed the structures. The labeling yield was satisfactory (about 95%), and ^99mTc-ESTDPTA was stable in neutral medium at room temperature for 5 hours. Biodistribution studies were performed on normal and DMBA-induced, tumor bearing female Albino Wistar rats. The activity per gram tissue was calculated, and time-activity curves were plotted. ESTDTPA uptake by uterus reached a level of 20.73% dose/g, showing a maximum within 5 minutes after injection. Ovary and breast showed similar biodistribution profiles. The kidneys, which are the primary organs of metabolism and excretion of estrogen, showed a high ^99mTc-ESTDTPA uptake. The imaging studies were performed on normal and tumor bearing female Albino Wistar rats using a Camstar XR/T gamma-camera. Gamma-scintigraphy studies showed that tumors could be well visualized in a few minutes and clearly differentiated from other organs, such as bladder and liver by 24 hours.     

Preparation of186Re labeled immunoglobulins: Direct and indirect methods

Kits were developed for labeling sulphur microcolloids with^99mTc. The microcolloids were prepared to get the desired particle size. The stannous chloride was treated with sulphide ions released from thioacetamide in the presence of carboxymethyl cellulose and the pH of the reaction was adjusted to 3.0. The contents of single reaction vial were reacted with^99mTc, the radiochemical yield was higher than 95%. Sulphur-microcolloid kits were stable and the stability was followed for 6 hours. The freeze-dried kits were followed more than three months after production and were found stable. Bone marrow uptake in rabbits was determined to be about 36%. The preparation of^99mTc-sulphur microcolloid is performed in single step process and axellent node scintigraphy was obtained using experimental animal.     

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.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 99mTc‐oxo and 99mTc‐tricarbonyl complexes with C3′‐functionalized thymidine dithiocarbamate for tumor imaging

A novel C3′‐functionalized thymidine dithiocarbamate derivative (3’DTC‐TdR) was successfully synthesized and labelled using [^99mTcO]³⁺ core and [^99mTc(CO)₃(H₂O)₃]⁺ core with high yields. The structures of the ^99mTc complexes were verified by preparation and characterization of the corresponding stable rhenium complexes. Both of the complexes were lipophilic and stable in vitro. Cell internalization experiments indicated that the uptakes of ^99mTcO‐3’DTC‐TdR were related to nucleoside transporters. Biodistribution of these complexes in mice bearing tumor showed that they had high tumor uptakes, good tumor/muscle ratios and tumor/blood ratios. Especially for ^99mTcO‐3’DTC‐TdR, it exhibited the highest tumor/muscle ratio and tumor/blood ratio at 4 h post‐injection. SPECT/CT imaging studies indicated clear accumulation in tumor, suggesting ^99mTcO‐3’DTC‐TdR would be a promising candidate for tumor imaging.     

Synthesis and preclinical pharmacological evaluation of a novel 99mTc–shikonin as a potential tumor imaging agent

Shikonin was isolated from Ratanjot pigment then the obtained shikonin was well characterized. This study is aimed to optimize radiolabeling yield of shikonin with ^99mTc with respect to factors that affect the reaction conditions such as shikonin amount, SnCl₂·2H₂O amount, reaction time and pH of the reaction mixture. In vitro stability of the radiolabeled complex was checked and it was found to be stable for up to 6?h. Biodistribution studies showed that, ^99mTc?Cshikonin accumulate in tumor sites with higher T/NT than other currently available ^99mTc(CO)₃-VIP, ^99mTc?Cnitroimidazole analogues and ^99mTc?Cpolyamine analogues indicating that shikonin deliver ^99mTc to the tumor sites with a percentage sufficient for imaging and can overcome many drawbacks of other radiopharmaceuticals used for tumor imaging.     

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.     

Imaging of bacterial infection with 99mTc-labeled HBD-1

The aim of this study was to evaluate ^99mTc labeled human β-defensin-1 (HBD-1) for discrimination between bacterial infection and sterile inflammation. For this purpose, HBD-1 was radiolabeled with ^99mTc and its in vivo distribution was evaluated in inflamed rats with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and sterile inflamed rats with turpentine oil. After injection into inflamed and sterile inflamed rats, ^99mTc-HBD-1 was rapidly removed from the circulation via the kidneys. Binding of ^99mTc-HBD-1 to inflamed muscle (T/NT = 20 at 120 min) was two times higher than binding to sterile inflamed muscle (T/NT = 10 at 120 min) of rats. It was demonstrated that ^99mTc-HBD-1 can be used to detect S. aureus inflammation in rats. However, the radiolabeled antimicrobial peptide showed only poor uptake in sterile inflammation with turpentine oil in rats. As a result, ^99mTc-HBD-1 can be useful for detection of bacterial inflammation.     

Rapid and sensitive determination of pertechnetate in99Mo/99mTc generator eluates by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with u.v. detection was applied for rapid and sensitive determination of pertechnetate in⁹⁹Mo/^99mTc generator eluates, using a mixture solvent of acetonitrile and 0.04M aqueous acetate buffer (1/1) containing a few volume percentage of 0.5 M tetra-n-butylammonium hydroxide as the mobile phase. Employing a -bondapak C₁₃ column, the TcO ₄ ^– species was separated, monitored with absorbance at 254 nm, and observed at the retention time of 3.5 min. The detection limit was found to be 5.2·10^–10 g of Tc for each injection. Total Tc contents in the^99mTc eluates from clinically-used⁹⁹Mo/^99mTc generator were analyzed by this technique. The^99mTc (⁹⁹Tc) species was separated from the contaminant⁹⁹Mo. This method was found to be useful for the purification of^99mTc (⁹⁹Tc) as well as the determination of total Tc content.     

Radiosynthesis and evaluation of novel [99mTc(I)]+ and [99mTc(I)(CO)3]+ complexes with a 4-nitroimidazole isocyanide for imaging tumor hypoxia

[^99mTc(I)]⁺ and [^99mTc(I)(CO)₃]⁺ complexes with isocyanide exhibit high stability, which makes them suitable platforms to develop novel ^99mTc radiopharmaceuticals. To develop novel ^99mTc radiotracers for imaging hypoxia, in this study, a novel L ligand (4-nitroimidazole isocyanide derivative) was synthesized and labelled using [^99mTc(I)]⁺ core and [^99mTc(I)(CO)₃]⁺ core to produce [^99mTc(L)₆]⁺ and [^99mTc(CO)₃(L)₃]⁺ with high yields. To verify the structure of the ^99mTc complexes, corresponding rhenium analogues were synthesized and characterized. Both of the ^99mTc complexes were stable and hydrophilic. in vitro cellular uptake results showed they could exhibit good hypoxic selectivity. The evaluation of biodistribution in mice bearing S180 tumors indicated both of them could accumulate in tumor. Between them, [^99mTc(L)₆]⁺ exhibited higher tumor uptake and tumor/non-target ratio than [^99mTc(CO)₃(L)₃]⁺. Further, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging studies of [^99mTc(L)₆]⁺ indicated an obvious accumulation in tumor and the value of the region-of-interest (ROI) ratio of the uptake for the tumor site to the corresponding non-tumor region was 5.64 ± 0.52. The above results suggested [^99mTc(L)₆]⁺ would be a potential tracer for imaging tumor hypoxia.