Synthesis, biodistribution and evaluation of 99mTc-sitafloxacin kit: a novel infection imaging agent

Radiosynthesis of 99m Tc-sitafloxacin ( 99m Tc-STF) complex and its efficacy as a potential infection imaging agent was evaluated. Effect of sitafloxacin (STF) concentration, sodium pertechnetate (Na 99m TcO 4 ), stannous chloride dihydrate (SnCl 2 ·2H 2 O), and pH on the % radiochemical purity yield (RCP) of 99m Tc-STF complex was studied. A stable 99m Tc-STF complex up to 120 min with maximum %RCP yield was observed by mixing 2 mg of STF with 3 mCi of Na 99m TcO 4 and 150 μL of SnCl 2 ·2H 2 O (1 μg/μL in 0.01 N HCl) at a pH 5.5. Artificially infected rats with Staphylococcus aureus were used for studying the biodistribution behavior of the 99m Tc-STF complex. After 30 min of the intravenous (I.V.) administration of the 99m Tc-STF complex, 7.50 ± 0.10% was absorbed in the infected thigh of the rats and the uptake gradually increased to 18.50 ± 0.20% within 90 min. Rabbits with artificially induced infection were used for evaluating the scintigraphic accuracy. Higher uptake in the infected thigh was observed after 2 h of I.V. administration of the 99m Tc-STF complex. Target to non-target organ ratio of the % absorbed dose incase of infected/normal muscle was 6.82 ± 0.40, 17.11 ± 0.60, and 23.13 ± 1.00% at 30, 60 and 90 min of administration. Stable and higher %RCP, higher uptake in the infected thigh, and spectral studies, recommend the 99m Tc-STF for routine infection imaging.