To investigate a new kind of tumor tracer 99mTc-YIGSR developed from a five amino structure (YIGSR) of the Laminin -chain, which can bind to the laminin receptors of tumor specifically, and radiolabeled with MAG3. (1) Preparation of the 99mTc-YIGSR probe: with S-Acetly-NH3-MAG3 as the chelator and with proper reductants YIGSR was labeled with 99mTc; (2) Cell culture and viability measurement: EAC was maintained in RPMI 1640 supplemented with calf serum; the trypan blue exclusion was applied to calculate the cell viability; (3) Study of the cell dynamic: The EAC's uptake of 99mTc-YIGSR and 99mTc-MIBI was observed at 37 degrees C and 22 degrees C, respectively. (1) The labeling efficiencies of 99mTc-YIGSR and 99mTc-MIBI were (62 +/- 3)% and (96 +/- 2)%, respectively; (2) The cell viability was declined with time of incubation; (3) At 37 degrees C, the EAC'S uptake of 99mTc-YIGSR and 99mTc-MIBI reached the peak of (43.16 +/- 2.4) % and (24.4 +/- 1.8) % at 60 min, respectively; and at 22 degrees C, the highest uptake was (26.5 +/- 2.1) % and (9.47 +/- 1.9) % at 60 min, respectively. The in vitro study suggests that 99mTc-YIGSR is superior to 99mTc-MIBI in cell uptake and has potential value in tumor imaging.
Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor/*radionuclide imaging ; Laminin ; Oligopeptides ; Radiopharmaceuticals/diagnostic use ; Radiopharmaceuticals/*pharmacokinetics ; Technetium Tc 99m Mertiatide/diagnostic use ; Technetium Tc 99m Mertiatide/*pharmacokinetics ; Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi/diagnostic use ; Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi/*pharmacokinetics ; Tissue Distribution

PURPOSE: We evaluated a rapid preparation procedures for the labeling and quality control of 99mTc-ECD, MAG3, and MIBI using microwave heating and Sep-Pak cartridges. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 99mTc labeling of ECD, MAG3, and MIBI kit preparation was performed according to the package inserts with microwave heating modification. Heating time was 10-15 sec, and heating was performed with 3 mm plastic bottle with screw cap to prevent radiation contamination. Labeling efficiency was obtained with C18 or Alumina N Sep-Pak cartridges. RESULTS: The radiochemical purity of 93~96% for 99mTc-ECD and 95~99% for 99mTc-MIBI was obtained using Alumina N Sep-Pak cartridge. The optimum irradiation time of microwave method for 3 ml 99mTc-labeled radiopharmaceutical solution was 10 sec for 99mTc-ECD and 99mTc-MIBI, and 15 sec for 99mTc-MAG3. The RESULTS of quality control data with Sep-Pak cartridges were well correlated with TLC method. The total preparation time of these radiopharmcaeuticals was 5~6 min including quality control procedure. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that radiopharmaceuticals preparation by microwave heating and quality control by Sep-Pak cartridges can be efficiently utilized as an alternative to the recommended method by manufacturer's manual.
Aluminum Oxide ; Heating* ; Hot Temperature* ; Microwaves* ; Plastics ; Product Labeling ; Quality Control* ; Radiopharmaceuticals ; Technetium Tc 99m Mertiatide

99mTc-MAG3 Scintigraphic Scan is sensitive at depicting focal parenchymal abnormalities and can be used for the measurement of overall renal function. We experienced a 12-year-old girl presenting with fever and flank pain. On the ultrasonogram and post-voiding delayed image of 99mTc-MAG3 scintigraphic scan, severe right cortical atrophy and hydronephrosis with vesicoureteral reflux were detected. We could demonstrate the reflux nephropathy by these two diagnostic work-up without conventional voiding cystourethrography.
Atrophy ; Child ; Female ; Fever ; Flank Pain ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis ; Technetium Tc 99m Mertiatide ; Ultrasonography ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux

PURPOSE: Controversies persist on pyeloplasty follow-up, and the aim of this study was to assess the differences and interpretations in results of postoperative ultrasonography and diuretic renograms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 46 patients who underwent pyeloplasty between 1997 and 2003. The average patient age was 7.0 months (range, 2-36 months). Serial changes in hydronephrosis were evaluated by consecutive ultrasonography at 1, 4, 10, and 24 months after pyeloplasty, and a diuretic 99mTc-MAG3 renal scan was performed 4 months after the surgery. RESULTS: Ultrasonography showed that 11 (24%), 27 (59%), 35 (76%), and 39 (89%) patients had improved in hydronephrosis at 1, 4, 10, and 24 months after pyeloplasty, respectively. Diuretic renal scans showed that of 27 patients who showed improvements in hydronephrosis at 4 months after pyeloplasty, only 17 (63%) had improved excretion and 22 (81%) had preservation of different renal function (DRF). Among 19 patients with persistent or worsened hydronephrosis, 10 (53%) had improved excretion and 13 (68%) had preserved DRF. CONCLUSIONS: The results of ultrasonography and diuretic renal scan studies can differ in the same case after pyeloplasty. We recommend that improvements in hydronephrosis be assessed individually by ultrasonography, renal scans, and clinical status to determine surgical outcomes.
Child ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis ; Technetium Tc 99m Mertiatide ; Ureteral Obstruction

The validity of (99m)Tc-YIGSR, a novel receptor radio-tracer, in imaging the Ehrlich ascites tumor was evaluated. YIGSR, a pentapeptide of laminin, was labeled with (99m)Tc by using a bifunctional chelator S-Acetly-NH(3)-MAG(3). The MIBI was labeled with (99m)Tc by following the kit instruction. The mice of tumor group were intravenously injected 1-2 mCi of (99m)Tc-YIGSR or (99m)Tc-MIBI via caudal vein, immobilized and imaged under a Gamma camera. The same procedure was performed in mice of blockade group, in which the unlabeled YIGSR was previously injected to block the receptor-recognition sites, and inflammation group serving as control. The reverse-phase Sep-Pak C(18) chromatogram was found to have an essentially complete conjugation between YIGSR and S-Acetly-NH(3)-MAG(3). The conjugated YIGSR could be radio-labeled successfully with (99m)Tc at room temperature and neutral pH, with a radio-labeling yield of 62%. Without the chelator S-Acetly-NH(3)-MAG(3), the YIGSR was labeled with (99m)Tc at an efficiency of 4%. The imagological study revealed obvious tumor accumulation of (99m)Tc-YIGSR 15 min after the injection, and the uptake peaked after 3 h with a tumor-to-muscle ratio (T/M) of 11.36. The radio-tracer was slowly cleared up and resulted in a T/M of 3.01 at the 8th h after the injection. As for blocked group, the tumor uptake of radiotracer was significantly lower, with the highest T/M being 4.61 after 3 h and 0.89 after 8 h. The T/M was 3.72 at the 3rd h and 1.29 at the 8th h after the (99m)Tc-YIGSR injection in the inflammatory group. The T/M was significantly higher in tumor group than in inflammatory group or control group (P<0.001). In the 99mTc-MIBI group, the T/M was 1.40 at the 3rd h and 0.55 at the 8th h after the injection, which showed a significant difference as compared with (99m)Tc-YIGSR (P<0.001). It is concluded that YIGSR can be successfully radiolabelled by using S-Acetly-NH(3)-MAG(3). (99m)Tc-YIGSR has many advantages in tumor imaging, such as quick and clear visualization, high sensitivity and specificity, and satisfactory target/non-target ratio (N/NT). It promises to be tumor radio-tracer.
Animals ; Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor ; diagnostic imaging ; Mice ; Radioactive Tracers ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Radiopharmaceuticals ; Receptors, Laminin ; metabolism ; Technetium Tc 99m Mertiatide ; Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi

The validity of (99m)Tc-YIGSR, a novel receptor radio-tracer, in imaging the Ehrlich ascites tumor was evaluated. YIGSR, a pentapeptide of laminin, was labeled with (99m)Tc by using a bifunctional chelator S-Acetly-NH(3)-MAG(3). The MIBI was labeled with (99m)Tc by following the kit instruction. The mice of tumor group were intravenously injected 1-2 mCi of (99m)Tc-YIGSR or (99m)Tc-MIBI via caudal vein, immobilized and imaged under a Gamma camera. The same procedure was performed in mice of blockade group, in which the unlabeled YIGSR was previously injected to block the receptor-recognition sites, and inflammation group serving as control. The reverse-phase Sep-Pak C(18) chromatogram was found to have an essentially complete conjugation between YIGSR and S-Acetly-NH(3)-MAG(3). The conjugated YIGSR could be radio-labeled successfully with (99m)Tc at room temperature and neutral pH, with a radio-labeling yield of 62%. Without the chelator S-Acetly-NH(3)-MAG(3), the YIGSR was labeled with (99m)Tc at an efficiency of 4%. The imagological study revealed obvious tumor accumulation of (99m)Tc-YIGSR 15 min after the injection, and the uptake peaked after 3 h with a tumor-to-muscle ratio (T/M) of 11.36. The radio-tracer was slowly cleared up and resulted in a T/M of 3.01 at the 8th h after the injection. As for blocked group, the tumor uptake of radiotracer was significantly lower, with the highest T/M being 4.61 after 3 h and 0.89 after 8 h. The T/M was 3.72 at the 3rd h and 1.29 at the 8th h after the (99m)Tc-YIGSR injection in the inflammatory group. The T/M was significantly higher in tumor group than in inflammatory group or control group (P<0.001). In the 99mTc-MIBI group, the T/M was 1.40 at the 3rd h and 0.55 at the 8th h after the injection, which showed a significant difference as compared with (99m)Tc-YIGSR (P<0.001). It is concluded that YIGSR can be successfully radiolabelled by using S-Acetly-NH(3)-MAG(3). (99m)Tc-YIGSR has many advantages in tumor imaging, such as quick and clear visualization, high sensitivity and specificity, and satisfactory target/non-target ratio (N/NT). It promises to be tumor radio-tracer.
Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor/*radionuclide imaging ; Radioactive Tracers ; Radiopharmaceuticals/*diagnostic use ; Receptors, Laminin/*metabolism ; Technetium Tc 99m Mertiatide/*diagnostic use ; Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi/*diagnostic use

PURPOSE: We have examined the utility of 99mTc-MAG3 perfusion indices for assessing renal graft function in early post-transplantation period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study included 80 renal transplant recipients (48 men and 32 women, mean age: 40.3 years). Diagnosis was based on biopsy, laboratory data and clinical course. Renal scintigraphy (RS) was obtained using 100 MBq of 99mTc-MAG3 from 11 days to 23 days of kidney transplantation. We measured 5 indices in whole-kidney (WK) and cortical (C) renograms; Hilson's perfusion index (PI), transplant perfusion index (TP) and transplant function index (TF) as perfusion parameter, and the time to peak activity (Tmax) and the ratio of renal counts at 20 min to that at 3 min (K20/3) as functional parameter. RESULTS: The diagnoses at the day of RS were normal graft (NG) in 44, acute rejection (AR) in 14, acute tubular necrosis (ATN) in 10, and Cyclosporine A nephrotoxicity (CsA) in 12. TP and TF were significantly decreased in AR, ATN and CsA, compared to those in NG. K20/3 of AR and ATN were significantly greater than that of NG. WK-Tmax of AR was significantly longer than that of NG. K20/3 of AR and C-K20/3 of ATN were significantly prolonged relative to those of CsA. There were no statistically significant perfusion indices among complication groups. CONCLUSION: TP and TF reflecting microperfusion and initial tubular extraction are reliable in assessing graft function. However, it is required to correlate perfusion indices with functional indices and clinical course in differentiating from one another among complication groups.
Biopsy ; Cyclosporine ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; Male ; Necrosis ; Perfusion* ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Technetium Tc 99m Mertiatide* ; Transplantation ; Transplants

PURPOSE: In this study, we developed a new software tool for the analysis of renal scintigraphy which can be modified more easily by a user who needs to study new clinical applications, and the appropriateness of the results from our program was studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The analysis tool was programmed with IDL5.2 and designed for use on a personal computer running Windows. For testing the developed tool and studying the appropriateness of the calculated glomerular filtration rate (GFR), 99mTc-DTPA was administered to 10 adults in normal condition. In order to study the appropriateness of the calculated mean transit time (MTT), 99mTc-DTPA and 99mTc-MAG3 were administered to 11 adults in normal condition and 22 kidneys were analyzed. All the images were acquired with ORBITOR, the Siemens gamma camera. RESULTS: With the developed tool, we could show dynamic renal images and time activity curve (TAC) in each ROI and calculate clinical parameters of renal function. The results calculated by the developed tool were not different statistically from the results obtained by the Siemens application program (Tmax: p=0.68, Relative Renal Function: p=1.0, GFR: p=0.25) and the developed program proved reasonable. The MTT calculation tool proved to be reasonable by the evaluation of the influence of hydration status on MTT. CONCLUSION: We have obtained reasonable clinical parameters for the evaluation of renal function with the software tool developed in this study. The developed tool could prove more practical than conventional, commercial programs.
Adult ; Gamma Cameras ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Kidney ; Microcomputers ; Nuclear Medicine* ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Running ; Technetium Tc 99m Mertiatide

PURPOSE: In children, 24-hour urine collections are unreliable for evaluating glomerular filtration rate (GFR) because of the difficulty of regulating voiding and the daily variation of urinary creatinine up to 25%. Additionally, creatinine clearance (Ccr) based on urinary creatinine is considered inaccurate. The purpose of this study was to compare estimated GFR determined using Ccr, formulas with serum cystatin C and creatinine, and 99mTc-mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3) dynamic renal scintigraphy. METHODS: This retrospective study included 101 patients (age, <18 years) who visited Chung-Ang University Hospital between July 2011 and August 2012. GFR was estimated using 24-hour urinary creatinine, five formulas with serum creatinine and cystatin C, and 99mTc-MAG3 renal scan. RESULTS: Of the 101 patients, glomerular renal diseases were present in 60 patients (59.4%) and non-glomerular diseases were present in 41 patients (40.6%). There was a significant correlation between estimated GFR determined using 99mTc-MAG3 renal scan and Ccr (r=0.389, P<0.001). The correlation values between estimated GFR determined using 99mTc-MAG3 renal scan and each formula of Schwartz, Counahan-Barratt, Cockcroft-Gault, Filler and Lepage, and Bokencamp were 0.265 (P=0.007), 0.128 (P=0.044), 0.230 (P=0.021), 0.356 (P<0.001), and 0.355 (P<0.001), respectively. 99mTc-MAG3 renal scan was correlated with estimated-GFR by all formulas in decreased renal function. CONCLUSION: Estimated GFRs determined using serum creatinine and cystatin C, and 99mTc-MAG3 renal scan correlated well with estimated GFR determined using Ccr. 99mTc-MAG3 renal scan may be replaced for evaluation of renal function with convenience in patients with renal disease and decreased renal function in childhood.
Child* ; Creatinine ; Cystatin C ; Glomerular Filtration Rate* ; Humans ; Radionuclide Imaging* ; Retrospective Studies ; Technetium Tc 99m Mertiatide ; Urine Specimen Collection

BACKGROUNDThe YIGSR is a pentapeptide, from the laminin-1 of the beta1 chain, which can mediate cell adhesion and bind the 67 kD laminin receptor. The purpose is to evaluate the usefulness of (99m)Tc-YIGSR, a novel tumour radiotracer, in the receptor imaging of Ehrlich ascites tumour.

METHODSUsing S-acetly-NH3-MAG3 as chelate, YIGSR, a pentapeptide from laminin, was tagged with (99m)Tc. (99m)Tc-YIGSR was detected in the tumour group bearing Ehrlich ascites tumour and blocked group. Tumour, normal, inflammatory and blocked groups were imaged.

RESULTSThrough reverse phase Sep-Pak C18 chromatogram, it was revealed that YIGSR could conjugate with S-acetly-NH3-MAG3, and be radiolabelled at room temperature and neutral pH with a radiolabelling yield of 62%, and of 4% without chelate. (99m)Tc-YIGSR was rapidly cleared from kidney, then liver. The imaging findings showed tumour tissue accumulated initial radioactivity at fifteen minutes after injection in the tumour group, and the uptake increased to peak at three hours with a tumour/muscle ratio (T/M) of 11.36, then cleared slowly to a T/M of 7.50 at eight hours. The tumour uptake of radiotracer in blocked group was significantly lower with T/M of 4.61 at three hours and 0.89 at eight hours. The T/M was only 3.72 at three hours and 1.29 at eight hours after injection in inflammatory group. Compared with inflammatory group and control obstructive group, the ratio of T/M in tumour group was significantly different (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSUsing S-acetly-NH3-MAG3, we radiolabelled YIGSR with (99m)Tc. (99m)Tc-YIGSR possesses many merits of tumour imaging: rapid visualization, high sensitivity and specificity, and satisfactory target/nontarget ratio. Our data suggest (99m)Tc-YIGSR is a promising tumour radiotracer.

Animals ; Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Laminin ; Mice ; Oligopeptides ; pharmacokinetics ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Radiopharmaceuticals ; pharmacokinetics ; Technetium ; Technetium Tc 99m Mertiatide ; Tissue Distribution