Synthesis and biodistribution of a new 99mTc nitrido complex as a potential myocardial and cerebral imaging agent

The bis(N-methyl, N-cyclohexyl dithiocarbamato) nitrido technetium-99m complex [99mTcN(MECHDTC)2] (MECHDTC: N-methyl, N-cyclohexyl dithiocarbamato) has been synthesized through a ligand-exchange reaction. The two-step procedure consisted of an initial reaction of 99mTcO4− with succinic dihydrazide in the presence of stannous chloride as reducing agent and propylenediamine tetraacetic acid as complexant, and successive addition of sodium salt of N-methyl, N-cyclohexyl dithiocarbamate. The radiochemical purity of the complex was over 90%, as measured by thin layer chromatography. No decomposition of the complex at room temperature was observed over a period of 6 h. Its partition coefficient indicated that it was a lipophilic complex. The electrophoresis results showed that the complex was neutral. Biodistribution in mice showed that the complex accumulated in the heart and brain with high uptake. The heart/blood, heart/lung and brain/blood ratios were 5.55, 2.11 and 1.10, respectively, at 30 min post-injection, suggesting that this compound is a potential myocardial and cerebral imaging agent.