Synthesis and biodistribution of the 99m TcN-DMSA complex as a potential bone imaging agent

In this study, the preparation of the 99m TcN complex of DMSA (dimercaptosuccinicacid) was carried out as a freeze-dried formulation, through a simple procedureinvolving the initial of 99m TcO 4 – with succinic dihydrazide in thepresence of stannous chloride as reducing agent, followed by the additionof the ligand DMSA to afford the final product. The radiochemical purity ofthe 99m TcN-DMSA complex was over 90% determined by thin layer chromatography.It was stable over 8 hours at room temperature. Its partition coefficientindicated that it was a good hydrophilic complex. Biodistribution in miceshowed that the 99m TcN-DMSA complex was accumulated in bone with high uptakeand good retention, suggesting it would be potentially useful as a bone imagingagent containing the [ 99m TcN] 2+ core. The biodistribution comparison inmice of the 99m TcN-DMSA complex and the 99m Tc-DMSA complex indicate thatthe presence of the 99m Tc nitrido group significantly alters the biologicalproperties of the 99m Tc complex.