Study of magnetic ferrite nanoparticles labeled with 99mTc-pertechnetate

Abstract

This study examined the applications of novel non-polymer magnetic ferrite nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) labeled with 99mTc-pertechnetate (99mTcO4 −). The radiochemistry, chemistry, and biodistribution of Fe3O4 NPs labeled with 9mTcO4 − were analyzed. This paper employed instant thin layer chromatography and magnetic adsorption to evaluate the labeling efficiency and stability of 99mTc-Fe3O4 at various reaction conditions. A scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffractometer, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, laser particle size analyzer, and superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer were used to analyze the physical and chemical properties of the Fe3O4 and 99Tc-Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The biodistribution and excretion of 99mTc-Fe3O4 were also investigated. Radiochemical analyses showed that the labeling efficiency was over 92% after 1 min in the presence of a reducing agent. Hydroxyl and amine groups covered the surface of the Fe3O4 particles. Therefore, 99Tc (VII) reduced to lower oxidation states and might bind to Fe3O4 NPs. The sizes of the 99Tc-Fe3O4 NPs were about 600 nm without ultrasound vibrations, and the particle sizes were reduced to 250 nm under ultrasound vibration conditions. Nonetheless, Fe3O4 NPs and 99Tc-Fe3O4 NPs exhibited superparamagnetic properties, and the saturation magnetization values were about 55 and 47 emu/g, respectively. The biodistribution showed that a portion of the 99mTc-Fe3O4 nanoparticles might embolize in a pulmonary capillary initially; the embolism radioactivity was cleared from the lungs and was then taken up by the liver. 99mTc-Fe3O4 metabolized very slowly only 1–2% of the injected dose (ID) was excreted in urine and about 2.37% ID/g was retained in the liver 4 h after injection. Radiopharmaceutically, 99mTc-Fe3O4 NPs displayed long-term retention, and only 99mTc-Fe3O4 NPs that dissociated to free pertechnetate could be excreted in urine. This research evaluated the feasibility of non-polymer magnetic ferrite NPs labeled with technetium as potential radiopharmaceuticals in nuclear medicine.