Preparation of 99mTc-MAG3: the effect on radiochemical purity of using sodium chloride injection from plastic ampoules that have been exposed to light

Lynn A. Beattie, Lesley M. O'Brien, Clinton C. Waight, Natalie Z. Homer, Ruth Andrew, Alistair M. Millar

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

Objective
To determine the circumstances under which sodium chloride injection (SCI) that has been exposed to fluorescent light then used to prepare 99 mTc-MAG3 causes low radiochemical purity (RCP).

Methods
Two brands of SCI in plastic ampoules (Braun and Steri-Amp) and one in glass vials (Drytec) were exposed to light for up to 7 days then used to prepare 99 mTc-MAG3. RCP was measured by liquid chromatography. To study the effect on the labelling reaction, the reconstituted MAG3 kit was analysed before and after boiling and the formation of the 99 mTc-tartrate intermediate was investigated. Exposed water from plastic ampoules was analysed by mass spectrometry.

Results
After no exposure, each brand resulted in high RCP 99 mTc-MAG3 (>94%). Drytec SCI produced high RCP throughout (96.7 ± 0.3%, n=5, 7 days). The RCP produced by Steri-Amp and Braun fell to 85.2 ± 5.2% and 93.5 ± 1.6% after exposure for 2 and 4 days, respectively. The chromatogram before boiling contained peaks corresponding to 99 mTc-tartrate and 99 mTc-pertechnetate. After boiling with unexposed SCI, these were minimal and a 99 mTc-MAG3 peak dominated. After boiling with exposed SCI, 99 mTc-pertechnetate and 99 mTc-MAG3 peaks were present. Measurements on tartrate showed a high level of 99 mTc-tartrate before and after boiling with unexposed SCI but a high level of 99 mTc-pertechnetate after boiling with exposed SCI. Mass spectrometry showed that compounds leach into the solution upon exposure to light.

Conclusion
Preparing 99 mTc-MAG3 using SCI from plastic ampoules that have been exposed to light causes reduced RCP. Exposure of plastic ampoules to light causes leaching of many compounds into the solution. An unknown leached compound destabilizes the 99 mTc-tartrate intermediate complex.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)649-653
Number of pages5
JournalNuclear Medicine Communications
Volume29
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2008

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Tc-99 m-MAG(3)
  • plastic ampoules
  • radiochemical purity
  • sodium chloride injection
  • TC-99M-MAG3
  • STABILITY

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