Studies on Tc-99m-Labeled Liver Ferritin: Hepatobiliary Behavior in Rats: Concise Communication

Ferritin was isolated from the livers of iron-loaded rats and labeled with Tc-99m. The radionuclide was found to be firmly bound to ferritin and essentially free of colloids. When injected into rats, about 65% of administered dose was found to be concentrated in the liver within 30 min. The blood activity declined rapidly. Liver activity appeared to be excreted slowly through the hepatobiliary route, through there was 5 to 9% constant excretion through the kidneys. The results suggest that this labeled protein may prove useful as a hepatobiliary radiopharmaceutical.