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.     

Synthesis and biodistribution of a novel <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc nitrido dithiocarbamate complex containing ether group as a potential myocardial and brain imaging agent

In the present study, a novel ^99mTc nitrido dithiocarbamate complex containing ether group, the bis(2-ethoxyethyl dithiocarbamato) nitrido ^99mTc complex ^99mTcN(EOEDTC)₂ has been synthesized by the reduction of ^99mTcO₄ ⁻ into [^99mTcN]²⁺ with stannous chloride in the presence of succinic dihydrazide and propylenediamine tetraacetic acid, followed by the addition of the corresponding dithiocarbamate ligand. The radiochemical purity of the complex was over 90% as measured by thin layer chromatography (TLC). In vitro studies showed that the complex possessed good stability. Its partition coefficient indicated that it was lipophilic complex. The electrophoresis results showed the complex was neutral. Biodistribution in mice showed that the complex accumulated in the heart and brain with high initial uptake, suggesting the complex may lead to a further development of the radiopharmaceutical as a heart and brain perfusion tracer.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc-DHPM complex: a potential new radiopharmaceutical for lung imaging studies

In the recent years interests on dihydropyrimidinone and their analogues have increased potentially due to their wide range of pharmacological/biological activities. Synthesis, radiolabeling with technetium-99 m (^99mTc) and biological evaluation of 5-etoxycarbonyl-4-phenyl-6-methyl-3,4-dihydro-(1H)-pyrimidine-2-one (DHPM) were studied in this present work. After synthesis complexation of DHPM with ^99mTc was carried out using stannous chloride as the reducing agent. The complex (^99mTc-DHPM) was characterized by thin layer chromatography, radio-HPLC technique and determination of partition co-efficient. Radiochemical stability and particle size distribution of the complex were also measured. Biodistribution/scintigraphy studies were performed in rats and rabbits to evaluate the pharmacological characteristics of this complex. The radiochemical purity of the complex was over 95% as studied by thin layer chromatography and radio-HPLC. It was stable over 24 h at room temperature. Its partition coefficient indicated that it was a lipophilic complex. According to the European Pharmacopeia, >80% of ^99mTc labeled radiopharmaceutical (^99mTc-MAA) in the size range 10–50 μm, must be accumulated in the lungs 15 min after intravenous administration. In this study >85% of the ^99mTc-DHPM complex in the average size of 40 μm. Biodistribution studies of ^99mTc-DHPM in rat revealed that the complex accumulated in the lung with high uptake and good retention after intravenous administration. Scintigraphic studies in rabbit also revealed that most of the administered radiolabeled complex was accumulated in the lungs and after 1 h slowly excreted through the renal system. The lung uptake (ID%/g) was 10.12, 9.67, 8.60 and 5.01 and the lung/liver ratio was 7.49, 2.88, 2.62 and 1.87 at 2, 15, 30 and 60 min post-injection, respectively. These results suggested that ^99mTc-DHPM could be suitable as a potential lung perfusion imaging agent. Further studies with ^99mTc-DHPM and its derivatives are warranted to develop new ^99mTc-labeled imaging agents for clinical applications.     

Preparation and preliminary evaluation of a tris-metronidazole-<Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc(CO)<Subscript>3</Subscript> complex for targeting tumor hypoxia

Conventional ^99mTc-radiopharmaceuticals for the detection of tumor hypoxia generally possess a single nitroimidazole moiety. Herein, we report the synthesis and evaluation of a ^99mTc-complex with three-nitroimidazole moieties in an attempt to improve hypoxic cell detection. Isocyanide derivative of metronidazole (MetroNC) was synthesized and subsequently radiolabeled with [^99mTc(CO)₃(H₂O)₃]⁺ precursor complex, wherein the three labile water molecules were replaced with MetroNC ligand to form a pseudo-octahedral [^99mTc(CO)₃(MetroNC)₃]⁺ complex. Analysis of corresponding Re(CO)₃-analog prepared in macroscopic scale confirmed the formation of expected complex. Cyclic voltammetric studies of [Re(CO)₃(MetroNC)₃]⁺ complex showed no significant change in single-electron reduction potential (SERP) of MetroNC ligand (??0.96 V) upon forming the [Re(CO)₃(MetroNC)₃]⁺ complex (??0.90 V). In vitro studies in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells showed three-fold preferential accumulation of [^99mTc(CO)₃(MetroNC)₃]⁺ complex in hypoxic cells over normoxic cells. Biodistribution studies of [^99mTc(CO)₃(MetroNC)₃]⁺ complex in Swiss mice bearing fibrosarcoma tumor showed tumor uptake and steady retention till 60 min post injection. Present study constitutes a novel design approach towards development of a ^99mTc-radiopharmaceutical for hypoxia imaging application, which could be extended to other potential nitroimidazole ligands.     

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 <Superscript>99m</Superscript>TcN-isopentyl xanthate as a potential myocardial perfusion imaging agent

A novel ^99mTc nitrido xanthate complex ^99mTcN(IPEXT)₂ (IPEXT: isopentyl xanthate) has been synthesized by the reduction of ^99mTcO₄ ⁻ into [^99mTcN]²⁺ with stannous chloride in the presence of succinic dihydrazide and propylenediamine tetraacetic acid, followed by the addition of the corresponding xanthate ligand. The radiochemical purity of the complex 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 showed that the ^99mTcN(IPEXT)₂ complex accumulated in the heart with high uptake. The heart uptake (%IDg) was 8.00% at 5-minute post-injection, but the heart/lung, heart/liver and heart/blood ratios were not high, thereby, restricting the use of the complex as a good myocardial imaging agent.     

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 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.     

<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.     

<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 evaluation of a new bombesin analog labeled with <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc as a GRP receptor imaging agent

Tumors such as prostate, small cell lung cancer, breast, gastric and colon cancer are known to overexpress receptors to bombesin (BBN). In this study, a new bombesin analogue was labeled with ^99mTc via HYNIC and tricine/EDDA as coligands and investigated further. HYNIC-GABA-Bombesin (7–14) NH₂ was synthesized using a standard Fmoc strategy. Labeling with ^99mTc was performed at 100 °C for 10 min and radiochemical analysis involved ITLC and HPLC methods. The stability of radiopeptide was checked in the presence of humane serum at 37 °C up to 24 h. The receptor bound internalization and externalization rates were studied in GRP receptor expressing PC-3 cells. Biodistribution of radiopeptide was studied in nude mice bearing PC-3 tumor. Labeling yield of >98% was obtained corresponding to a specific activity of ~2.6 MBq/nmol. Peptide conjugate showed good stability in the presence of human serum. The radioligand showed high and specific internalization into PC-3 cells (14.63 ± 0.41% at 4 h). In biodistribution studies, a receptor-specific uptake was observed in GRP-receptor-positive organs so that after 4 h the uptakes in mouse tumor and pancreas were 1.31 ± 0.18 and 1.2 ± 0.13% ID/g, respectively.     

Synthesis,bioevaluation and gamma scintigraphy of <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc-N-2-(furylmethyl iminodiacetic acid) complex as a new renal radiopharmaceutical

A ligand of N-2-(furylmethyl iminodiacetic acid) (FMIDA) has been easily labeled by a tetradentate chelating agent of [^99mTc]. Factors like a stannous chloride solution as a reducing agent (100 μg), substrate amount (100 μg), pH (7), in vitro stability (8 h) and temperature (37 °C) have been systematically studied to optimize high radiochemical yield (98.0%). The radiochemical conversion was calculated on thin-layer chromatography, paper electrophoresis, and high performance liquid chromatography. Biodistribution study showed that this complex was removed from the kidneys and bladder path way during 1 h post injection. Therefore, [^99mTc]FMIDA may be used as renal function radiotracer.     

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,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.     

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.     

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.     

Water-soluble derivatives of chitosan as a target delivery system of <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc to some organs in vivo for nuclear imaging and biodistribution

Carboxymethyl chitosan, (CMC), and N-lauryl-carboxymethyl chitosan (LCMC), have been prepared as water soluble derivatives of chitosan. These biodegradable chitosan derivatives were characterized and investigated for nuclear imaging and body distribution. They were labeled with ^99mTc to use them as targeted delivery to some organs in vivo for nuclear imaging and to follow their biodistribution within the body. The factors controlling the labeling efficiency have been investigated. The percent labeling yield was determined by using ascending paper chromatographic technique. In vivo biodistribution studies of radiolabeled chitosan derivatives were carried out in groups of female Wistar rats, the body distribution profile in rat was recorded by gamma scintigraphy and the biodistribution of ^99mTc-labeled compounds in each organ was calculated as a percentage of the injected dose per gram of tissue (%ID/g). It has been found that the biodistribution of the two compounds and the pattern of their liver uptake were markedly different. The present study demonstrates a high potential approach for liver imaging using ^99mTc-LCMC. An intriguing finding of this study was that the three samples were excreted rapidly via the kidneys because of the water-soluble nature of chitosan derivatives. This suggests that water-soluble chitosan derivatives are good polymeric carriers for radioactive element that overcomes accumulation in the body. Moreover, the easy and inexpensive availability of chitosan could be beneficial for applications in scintigraphic imaging.     

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.     

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.     

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