John S. Endow

The preparation of 99mTechnetium-labeled cystine, methionine and a synthetic polypeptide and their distribution in mice

Abstract Methods are presented for the labeling with Tc-99m of the pancreatotrophic amino acids cystine and methionine and a synthetic heptacosapeptide amide hormone with secretion-like properties. The distribution of these compounds in the organs of mice is presented with implications for the use of these compounds and their analogs as potential scanning agents for the pancreas and other organs. Further studies are in progress to use these compounds for scanning the human pancreas for abnormalities of function and structure.

Cholescintigraphy with 99mTc-Penicillamine

D-pencillamine labeled with 99mTc (Tc-Pen) was used for cholescintigraphy in dogs and man. Satisfactory images of the gallbladder were obtained using a scintillation camera fitted with a pinhole collimator. The results of cholescintigraphy and contrast cholecystography compared favorably. The authors suggest that Tc-Pen is taken up by the hepatocytes and excreted into the bile canaliculi which enter the gallbladder. Tc-Pen may prove to be an ideal agent for evaluation of hepatocellular function.