High performance liquid chromatography of 99mTc labeled human serum albumin using an N-methylpyridinium polymer column.

Human serum albumin (HSA) labeled with 99mTc (99mTc-HSA) was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography using a 4-vinylpyridinium polymer column which specifically resolved albumin components such as human mercaptalbumin (HMA), human non-mercaptalbumins (HNA), etc. The 99mTc-HSA radiochromatogram revealed that 99mTc-HSA consisted of several components. The radiochromatographic profile was similar to that of 99mTc-HMA prepared with 99mTc and separated HMA. This suggested that HMA participated mainly in 99mTc-labeling of HSA. When HSA was labeled with a stoichiometric concentration of 99Tc, the HMA peak was significantly decreased and new peaks were revealed by absorbance at 280 nm. From these results, the role of HMA in labeling HSA with 99mTc was elucidated.