Synthesis and biodistribution of 99mTcN-isopentyl xanthate as a potential myocardial perfusion imaging agent

Abstract

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.