New99mTc-diiodine substituted IDA derivative (DIIODIDA) for hepatobiliary imaging

A new diiodine substituted IDA derivative, 2,4-diiodine-6-methyl IDA (DIIODIDA) was synthesized and labeled with^99mTc. It was established that^99mTc-DIIODIDA had high radiochemical purity. Biodistribution and influence of bilirubin on^99mTc-DIIODIDA biokinetics has been studied in rats and compared to the corresponding results for^99mTc-SOLCOIODIDA. Related to^99mTc-SOLCOIODIDA,^99mTc-DIIODIDA has much better biliary exretion (55.18 versus 43.63%). No change of^99mTc-DIIODIDA biokinetics, under influence of bilirubin was noticed. Biliary excretion of^99mTc-SOLCOIODIDA has been reduced for about 60%. The protein binding of^99mTc-DIIODIDA and^99mTc-SOLCOIODIDA were also determined, using in vitro method of precipitation. These results showed that^99mTc-DIIODIDA hepatobiliary imaging agent is superior to the presently used^99mTc-monoiodine IDA derivatives.     

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.     

In vivo and in vitro 99mTc-protein bound of renal agents: 99mTc-prylidinomethyltetracycline (99mTc-Sn-Pmt) and 99mTc-Sn-Gluco-ene-diolate (99mTc-Gluco)

Protein binding affects tissue distribution, plasma clearance and uptake of renal radiopharmaceuticals. The ^99mTc bound to plasma protein after incubation ^99mTc-Gluco-ene-diolate (^99mTc-Sn-Gluco) agent or ^99mTc-prylidinomethyl-tetracycline (^99mTc-Sn-PMT) agent with plasma protein. It was observed that the protein bound to ^99mTc is lesser extent with (^99mTc-Sn-Gluco) agent than with the ^99mTc-PMT agent. ^99mTc-Sn-PMT is excreted more rapidly than ^99mTc-Sn-Gluco. On the other hand the percentage binding to protein seems to depend on the origin of the protein and or the type of protein (human or animal). However lower human protein binding or higher protein binding were observed with ^99mTc-Sn-Gluco or with ^99mTc-Sn-PMT, respectively compared with the binding to rat protein. The unbroken down of the chemical form of the origin of these two agents and the highest of ^99mTc-Sn-Gluco remained as origin in urine indicate that ^99mTc-Sn-Gluco are more stable than ^99mTc-Sn-PMT.Concerning the type of protein binding to ^99mTc-Sn-PMT or to ^99mTc-Sn-Gluco, it was observed that Human Plasma Protein is greater binding than Human serum protein or than IgG.     

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.     

Comparison of the99mTc-cysteine complex and131I-hippuran in biodistribution

This study compares the biological behavior of the^99mTc-cysteine complex with¹³¹I-hippuran (¹³¹I-OIH). The potential role of the^99mTc-cysteine complex as a renal imaging agent has also been evaluated. In addition the biological characteristics, i.e., biodistribution, blood clearance, excretory mechanism and the renal excretion pattern in the presence and absence of the tubular transport inhibitor (2,4-dinitrophenol, probenecid) has been examined. The experimental results reveal that kidneys are the target organ. The blood clearance of these radiopharmaceuticals is rapid, approximately 84% of the injected activity is excreted from the kidneys at 1 hour postinjection. Moreover, the renal inhibitor obviously depresses the excretory rate of the^99mTc-cysteine and¹³¹I-OIH, suggesting that such agents are excreted by renal tubular secretion. Results presented demonstrate that the^99mTc-cysteine is a remarkable renal dynamic imaging agent which is highly promising as a new renal imaging radiopharmacentical.     

Preparation of99Mo,132Te isotopes and99mTc,132I generators

Adsorption and desorption of⁹⁵Zr−⁹⁵Nb,⁹⁹Mo,¹⁰³Ru,¹³²Te and²³⁹Np in a HCl-alumina system were studied in order to purify⁹⁹Mo and¹³²Te obtained by the cation-exchange separation of fission products and to prepare highly pure^99mTc and¹³²I generators.⁹⁹Mo and¹³²Te, of which radionuclidic purity was over 99.99% and 99.999%, respectively, could be obtained by passing the cation-exchange separated Mo and Te fractions through alumina columns, by washing with HCl and finally by eluting⁹⁹Mo with 1M NH₄OH and¹³²Te with 3M NaOH. In order to raise the recovery of⁹⁹Mo and¹³²Te from the alumina columns, they should be eluted as quickly as possible after the adsorption. The direct use of the alumina column containing⁹⁹Mo or¹³²Te as the generator allowed milking of^99mTc or¹³²I, of which radionuclidic purity was over 99.999%. Milking yields of^99mTc with 0.1M HCl and¹³²I with 0.01M NH₄OH were 77% and 90%, respectively. The latter value was much higher than that in usual performance of the generator.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

99mTc-labelled human serum albumin: Chemical and electrochemical labelling methods

The labelling of human serum albumin /HSA/ with^99mTc has been investigated using a chemical method /stannous citrate/ and electrolytically generated tin/II/ ions. A comparative study of various chemical parameters and current intensities has been carried out in order to find the optimal conditions for labelling. The labelling yield was over 95%, for the chemical and electrolytical methods.     

The interactions of99mTc phosphorus radiopharmaceuticals and human serum proteins

Dialysis and precipitation methods have been used to study the binding affinity of selected technetium-99m phosphorus radiopharmaceuticals to human serum proteins. The binding affinities of three different^99mTc bone imaging agents were found to be inversely related to their respective clearance rates from blood in vivo. The binding order showed^99mTcPPi>^99mTcHEDP>^99mTcMDP. The^99mTc phosphorus radiopharmaceuticals were bound primarily to alpha globulins. The results suggest that the binding of^99mTc phosphorus radiopharmaceuticals to human serum proteins in blood is largely determined by their affinities to the alpha globulins.     

Statistical analysis of biodistribution of99mTc-colloid preparations

The results of radiochemical purity measurements for^99mTc–S colloid, 90.7±1.4, and^99mTc–Sn colloid, 98.9±1.2 obtained by ITLC (SG) with 80% methanol are given. The range of biodistribution normal values for^99mTc colloid preparations for animal organs is determined. The results of^99mTc–S and^99mTc–Sn colloid distribution in liver are 95.4±6.1% and 100,0±5.4%, respectively.     

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.     

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.     

Labeling of polyaminomacrocyclic ligands BY99mTcO 4 − reduction and exchange reactions

The cationic^99mTc-complexes of 1,4,8,12-tetraazacyclopentadecane (15-ane-N₄), 1,4,8,11-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (Me₄cyclam) and 1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaazacyclooctadecane (hexacyclen) are obtained in yields higher than 80% by^99mTcO ₄ ^– reduction at pH 12. The electrophoretic and chromatographic analyses show that these ligands form structurally similar complexes. Efficient labeling of 15-ane-N₄ (>95%) is obtained by the exchange reaction with^99mTc-citrate,^99mTc-ENDA and^99mTc-HBA at pH 12. The labeling yield of hexacyclene is 70% and 85% following the reaction with^99mTc-ENDA and^99mTc-HBA and^99mTc-citrate, respectively. The labeling of Me₄cyclam is very poor (about 10%) except starting from^99mTc-citrate (55%). The results are compared wint the available data for well characterized [TcO₂L]⁺ complexes.     

The feasibility of producing a99Mo:99mTc generator using the Miniature Neutron Source Reactor (MNSR)

A theoretical investigation of the feasibility of producing a molybdenum-99: technetium-99m generator from MoO₃ using a 30 kW Miniature Neutron Source Reactor (MNSR) has been made. At the rated thermal neutron flux of 10¹² n·cm^–2·s^–1 and irradiation time of 2.5 hours per day, for 8 consecutive days, activities of 7.1 mCi and 5.2 mCi were calculated for⁹⁹Mo and^99mTc, respectively. A 20 g sample of 99.5% chemically pure MoO₃ was used. The advantage for operating the reactor for 8 days instead of 6 days would be an increase of 11.4% and 15.5%, respectively, in the amount of⁹⁹Mo and^99mTc produced. it is calculated that an optimum irradiation scheme is achieved when the reactor is operated for an extended period of 5 hours a day for 5 days a week at a lower flux level of 7.5·10¹¹ n·cm^–2·s^–1. With this optimum operation scheme, there would be an increase in the weekly specific activity of 36% and 37.9% for⁹⁹Mo and^99mTc, respectively.     

Radiochemical determination of technetium-99

The radiochemistry of technetium-99 is reviewed and the different measurement techniques are compared. Experimental results on sorption of technetium on two different types of ion exchange resins using^99mTc and^95mTc as chemical yield tracers are presented. Spectra calibrations of liquid scintillation counter using^95mTc as chemical yield tracer of⁹⁹Tc are discussed.     

The quality of99mTc eluates

The possible effects of several protecting procedures on the quality of^99mTc eluates were investigated. The content of⁹⁹Mo in the eluates (⁹⁹Mo breakthrough) was expressed in (%) with respect to the total adsorbed⁹⁹Mo radioactivity and in () i.e. as the ratio of⁹⁹Mo and^99mTc radioactivities in each particular eluate. The radiochemical purity was expressed in (%) of^99mTc(VII) in the eluates. The content of Al³⁺ and Cu²⁺ as chemical impurities was also determined.     

Effect of cuprous ion on labeling of three skeletal imaging agents with99mTc

The effect of increased content of copper on the radiochemical composition of three skeletal imaging agents:^99mTc(Sn)-methylene diphosphonate (MDP),^99mTc(Sn)-pyrophosphate (PYP) and^99mTc(Sn)-2,3-dicarboxypropane-1, 1-diphosphonate (DPD) was observed only in the case of^99mTc(Sn)-MDP. It was found that the radiochemical purity of this radiopharmaceutical falls to about 50% when the copper content reaches about 10^–5 mol dm^–3. According to the results of radiochemical and biological analyses, it could be concluded that with the increase of copper content, the content of free pertechnetate rises, too. The two other radiopharmaceuticals,^99mTc(Sn)-PYP and^99mTc(Sn)-DPD, were found to be stable under the given experimental conditions.