Tc-D-penicillamine-glucuronide: synthesis, radiolabeling, in vitro and in vivo evaluation

The current study was aimed at synthesizing a glucuronide derivative of D-penicillamine (D-PA) to be used for imaging purposes. First of all, D-PA-glucuronide (D-PA-Glu) was synthesized by experimental treatments starting with uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase enzyme rich microsome preparate. Then, the synthesized compound was labeled with technetium ([sup.99m]Tc) by using a reduction method with stannous chloride. Quality controls were performed by using high-performance liquid chromatography and thin-layer radio chromatography (TLRC). Radiolabeling yield of [sup.99m]Tc-D-PA-Glu was more than 98% according to TLRC results. In vitro evaluations of radiolabeled complexes were investigated on PC-3 human prostate cancer cells. [sup.99m]Tc-D-PA-Glu exhibited more accumulation on PC-3 cells versus [sup.99m]Tc-D-PA at 240 minutes. In order to determine its radiopharmaceutical potential, biodistribution studies were carried out in male Albino Wistar rats. The biodistribution results of [sup.99m]TcD-PA-Glu, showed the highest uptake in prostate at 120 minutes postinjection with the main excretion route being through kidneys and bladder. [sup.99m]Tc-D-PA-Glu and [sup.99m]Tc-D-PA have exhibited different biodistribution results. Key words: glucuronidation, PC-3 cell line, penicillamine, radiolabeling, scintigraphy, [sup.99m]Tc