Rhenium analogues of promising renal imaging agents with a [99mTc(CO)3]+ core bound to cysteine-derived dipeptides, including lanthionine

Role of the ancillary ligand in controlling the lysozyme affinity and electronic properties of terpyridine fac-Re(CO)3 complexes

The lysozyme binding affinity and the electronic properties of [ReX(CO)3(terpy-κ2N1,N2)] (X = Br- and triazolateCOOCH2CH3,CF3) were reported. The triazolate complex was prepared in a [3 + 2] cycloaddition click reaction. The bromo compound reacted with lysozyme affording adducts with Re(CO)3+ fragments, while the triazolate compound persisted. A red shift of the MLCT band of the triazolate compound in progressively less polar solvents may be due to the negative solvatochromism.

Synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of Pd(ii), Cu(ii), Re(i) and 99mTc(i) thiazole-based complexes

A new thiazole-containing multidentate ligand 2-((2-phenylthiazol-4-yl)methylthio)ethanamine, L, was synthesized and used to prepare new complexes of the formula Pd^IILCl₂ (Pd-L), Cu^IIL₂Cl₂ (Cu-L) and fac-[Re/^99mTc^I(CO)₃(L)]⁺ (Re/^99mTc-L). The ligand L and the metal complexes were characterized spectroscopically. Furthermore, the structures of Re-L and Cu-L were elucidated by X-ray crystallography. Ligand L acts as a bidentate (N_th, S) chelator in Pd-L, as a bidentate (N, S) chelator in Cu-L and as a tridentate (N_th, S, N) chelator in Re-L. The radiotracer ^99mTc-L was synthesized in high yield and characterised by HPLC comparison with the Re-L analog. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic properties. The compounds exhibited low anti-inflammatory activity with Pd-L showing the highest activity among them. The cytotoxic activity of the ligand and the complexes against several human cancer cell lines (cervical adenocarcinoma HeLa, colorectal adenocarcinoma LS-174T, lung adenocarcinoma A549, breast adenocarcinoma MDA-MB-231 and normal human lung fibroblast cell line MRC-5) was examined using the MTT assay. The complex Cu-L exhibited the highest cytotoxicity and the complex Pd-L showed the best tumor selectivity. The changes in the cell cycle phase distribution were determined by flow cytometry and it was found that ligand L shows the highest apoptotic activity. The biodistribution studies of ^99mTc-L in mice showed fast tissue clearance. Of all the thiazole-containing compounds, the palladium complex appears to be more promising for future efforts.

Technetium-99m radiochemistry for pharmaceutical applications

Technetium-99m (^99m Tc) is a widely used radionuclide, and the development of ^99m Tc imaging agents continues to be in demand. This overview discusses basic principles of ^99m Tc radiopharmaceutical preparation and design and focuses on the ^99m Tc radiochemistry relevant to its pharmaceutical applications. The ^99m Tc complexes are described based on the most typical examples in each category, keeping up with the state-of-the-art in the field. In addition, the main current strategies to develop targeted ^99m Tc radiopharmaceuticals are summarized.

Structure and Properties of fac-[Re(I)(CO)3(NTA)](2-) (NTA(3-) = Trianion of Nitrilotriacetic Acid) and fac-[Re(I)(CO)3(L)](n-) Analogues Useful for Assessing the Excellent Renal Clearance of the fac-[(99m)Tc(I)(CO)3(NTA)](2-) Diagnostic Renal Agent

We previously identified two new agents based on the [(99m)Tc(V)O](3+) core with renal clearances in human volunteers 30% higher than that of the widely used clinical tracer (99m)Tc-MAG3 (MAG3(5-) = penta-anion of mercaptoacetyltriglycine). However, renal agents with even higher clearances are needed. More recently, we changed our focus from the [(99m)Tc(V)O](3+) core to the discovery of superior tracers based on the fac-[(99m)Tc(I)(CO)3](+) core. Compared to (99m)Tc-MAG3, fac-[(99m)Tc(I)(CO)3(NTA)](2-) (NTA(3-) = trianion of nitrilotriacetic acid) holds great promise by virtue of its efficient renal clearance via tubular secretion and the absence of hepatobiliary elimination, even in patients with severely reduced renal function. We report here NMR, molecular (X-ray) structure, and solution data on fac-[Re(I)(CO)3(NTA)](2-) with a -CH2CO2(-) dangling monoanionic chain and on two fac-[Re(I)(CO)3(L)](-) analogues with either a -CH2CONH2 or a -CH2CH2OH dangling neutral chain. In these three fac-[Re(I)(CO)3(L)](n-) complexes, the fac-[Re(I)(CO)3(N(CH2CO2)2)](-) moiety is structurally similar and has similar electronic properties (as assessed by NMR data). In reported and ongoing studies, the two fac-[(99m)Tc(I)(CO)3(L)](-) analogues with these neutral dangling chains were found to have pharmacokinetic properties very similar to those of fac-[(99m)Tc(I)(CO)3(NTA)](2-). Therefore, we reach the unexpected conclusion that in fac-[(99m)Tc(I)(CO)3(L)](n-) agents, renal clearance is affected much more than anticipated by features of the core plus the chelate rings (the [(99m)Tc(I)(CO)3(N(CH2CO2)2)](-) moiety) than by the presence of a negatively charged dangling carboxylate chain.

Models for B12-conjugated radiopharmaceuticals. Cobaloxime binding to new fac-[Re(CO)3(Me2bipyridine)(amidine)]BF4 complexes having an exposed pyridyl nitrogen

New mononuclear amidine complexes, fac-[Re(CO)3(Me2bipy)(HNC(CH3)(pyppz))]BF4 [(4,4'-Me2bipy (1), 5,5'-Me2bipy (2), and 6,6'-Me2bipy (3)] (bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine), were synthesized by treating the parent fac-[Re(I)(CO)3(Me2bipy)(CH3CN)]BF4 complex with the C2-symmetrical amine 1-(4-pyridyl)piperazine (pyppzH). The axial amidine ligand has an exposed, highly basic pyridyl nitrogen. The reaction of complexes 1-3 with a B12 model, (py)Co(DH)2Cl (DH = monoanion of dimethylglyoxime), in CH2Cl2 yielded the respective dinuclear complexes, namely, fac-[Re(CO)3(Me2bipy)(μ-(HNC(CH3)(pyppz)))Co(DH)2Cl]BF4 [(4,4'-Me2bipy (4), 5,5'-Me2bipy (5), and 6,6'-Me2bipy (6)]. (1)H NMR spectroscopic analysis of all compounds and single-crystal X-ray crystallographic data for 2, 3, 5, and 6 established that the amidine had only the E configuration in both the solid and solution states and that the pyridyl group is bound to Co in 4-6. Comparison of the NMR spectra of 1-3 with spectra of 4-6 reveals an unusually large "wrong-way" upfield shift for the pyridyl H2/6 signal for 4-6. The wrong-way H2/6 shift of (4-Xpy)Co(DH)2Cl (4-Xpy = 4-substituted pyridine) complexes increased with increasing basicity of the 4-Xpy derivative, a finding attributed to the influence of the magnetic anisotropy of the cobalt center on the shifts of the (1)H NMR signals of the pyridyl protons closest to Co. Our method of employing a coordinate bond for conjugating the fac-[Re(I)(CO)3] core to a vitamin B12 model could be extended to natural B12 derivatives. Because B12 compounds are known to accumulate in cancer cells, such an approach is a very attractive method for the development of (99m)Tc and (186/188)Re radiopharmaceuticals for targeted tumor imaging and therapy.

Complexes possessing rare "tertiary" sulfonamide nitrogen-to-metal bonds of normal length: fac-[Re(CO)3(N(SO2R)dien)]PF6 complexes with hydrophilic sulfonamide ligands

Tertiary sulfonamide nitrogen-to-metal bonds of normal length are very rare. We recently discovered such a bond in one class of fac-[Re(CO)3(N(SO2R)(CH2Z)2)](n) complexes (Z = 2-pyridyl) with N(SO2R)dpa ligands derived from di-(2-picolyl)amine (N(H)dpa). fac-[M(CO)3(N(SO2R)(CH2Z)2)](n) agents (M = (186/188)Re, (99m)Tc) could find use as radiopharmaceutical bioconjugates when R is a targeting moiety. However, the planar, electron-withdrawing 2-pyridyl groups of N(SO2R)dpa destabilize the ligand to base and create relatively rigid chelate rings, raising the possibility that the rare M-N(sulfonamide) bond is an artifact of a restricted geometry. Also, the hydrophobic 2-pyridyl groups could cause undesirable accumulation in the liver, limiting future use in radiopharmaceuticals. Our goal is to identify a robust, hydrophilic, and flexible N(CH2Z)2 chelate framework. New C2-symmetric ligands, N(SO2R)(CH2Z)2 with (Z = CH2NH2; R = Me, dmb, or tol), were prepared by treating N(H)dien(Boc)2, a protected diethylenetriamine (N(H)dien) derivative, with methanesulfonyl chloride (MeSO2Cl), 3,5-dimethylbenzenesulfonyl chloride (dmbSO2Cl), and 4-methylbenzenesulfonyl chloride (tolSO2Cl). Treatment of fac-[Re(CO)3(H2O)3](+) with these ligands, designated as N(SO2R)dien, afforded new fac-[Re(CO)3(N(SO2R)dien)]PF6 complexes. Comparing the fac-[Re(CO)3(N(SO2Me)dien)]PF6 and fac-[Re(CO)3(N(SO2Me)dpa)]PF6 complexes, we find that the Re(I)-N(sulfonamide) bonds are normal in length and statistically identical and that the methyl (13)C NMR signal has an unusually upfield shift compared to that in the free ligand. We attribute this unusual upfield shift to the fact that the sulfonamide N undergoes an sp(2)-to-sp(3) rehybridization upon coordination to Re(I) in both complexes. Thus, the sulfonamide N of N(SO2R)dien ligands is a good donor, even though the chelate rings are conformationally flexible. Addition of the strongly basic and potentially monodentate ligand, 4-dimethylaminopyridine, did not affect the fac-[Re(CO)3(N(SO2tol)dien)]PF6 complex, even after several weeks. This complex is also stable to heat in aqueous solution. These results indicate that N(SO2R)dien ligands form fac-[Re(CO)3(N(SO2R)dien)]PF6 complexes sufficiently robust to be utilized for radiopharmaceutical development.

Tricarbonyltechnetium(I) and tricarbonylrhenium(I) complexes of amino acids: crystal and molecular structure of a novel cyclic dimeric Re(CO)3-amino acid complex comprised of the OON donor atom set of the tridentate ligand

Radiolabeled complexes of monoamino polycarboxylic, polyamino monocarboxylic and thiol containing amino acid ligands were prepared from a fac-[(99m)Tc(CO)3(H2O)3](+) precursor.The overall radiochemical yield was 94-98%. The complexes exhibited substantial in vitro and in vivo stability. The corresponding Re(I) complexes of the ligands DAPA, Asp and CysH were prepared and characterized by means of IR, NMR, and MS spectroscopic studies, as well as X-ray crystallography (for those containing D,L-DAPA and D,L-Asp). The rhenium complexes have been structurally correlated with the technetium complexes by means of HPLC studies. The reaction of Re(CO)5Cl with D,L-Asp in presence of triethylamine led to the formation of a new class of cyclic dimeric complexes formed by the OON donor atom set of the tridentate ligands. The amino carboxylate ligand system formed well defined complexes with a fac-[M(CO)3(H2O)3](+) core and shows good promise in (99m)Tc(CO)3 tracer development.

Formation of a metal-to-nitrogen bond of normal length by a neutral sufonamide group within a tridentate ligand. A new approach to radiopharmaceutical bioconjugation

We demonstrate that a tertiary sulfonamide group, N(SO2R)R'2, can rehybridize to form a M-N bond of normal length even when the group is in a linear tridentate ligand, such as in the new tridentate N(SO2R)dpa ligands derived from di-(2-picolyl)amine (N(H)dpa). N(SO2R)dpa ligands were used to prepare fac-[Re(CO)3(N(SO2R)dpa)](PF6 or BF4) complexes. Structural characterization of the new complexes established that the tertiary sulfonamide nitrogen atom binds to Re with concomitant sp(2)-to-sp(3) rehybridization, facilitating facial coordination. The new fac-[Re(CO)3(N(SO2R)dpa)]X structures provide the only examples for any metal with the sulfonamide as part of a noncyclic linear tridentate ligand and with a normal metal-to-nitrogen(tertiary sulfonamide) bond length. Rare previous examples of such normal M-N bonds have been found only in more constrained situations, such as with tripodal tetradentate ligands. Our long-term objectives for the new tridentate N(SO2R)dpa ligands are to develop the fundamental chemistry relevant to the eventual use of the fac-[M(I)(CO)3](+) core (M = (99m)Tc, (186/188)Re) in imaging and therapy. The sulfonamide group uniquely contributes to two of our goals: expanding ways to conjugate the fac-[M(I)(CO)3](+) core to biological molecules and also developing new symmetrical tridentate ligands that can coordinate facially to this core. Tests of our conjugation method, conducted by linking the fac-[Re(I)(CO)3](+) core to a new tetraarylporphyrin (T(N(SO2C6H4)dpa)P) as well as to a dansyl (5-(dimethylamino)naphthalene-1-sulfonyl) group, demonstrate that large molecular fragments can be tethered via a coordinated tertiary sulfonamide linkage to this core.

Synthesis and characterization of fac-Re(CO)3-aspartic-N-monoacetic acid, a structural analogue of a potential new renal tracer, fac-99mTc(CO)3(ASMA)

The reaction of an aminopolycarboxylate ligand, aspartic-N-monoacetic acid (ASMA), with [Re(CO)3(H2O)3]+ was examined. The tridentate coordination of ASMA to this ReI tricarbonyl precursor yielded fac-Re(CO)3(ASMA) as a mixture of diastereomers. The chemistry is analogous to that of the TcI tricarbonyl complex, which yields fac-99mTc(CO)3(ASMA) under similar conditions. The formation, structure, and isomerization of fac-Re(CO)3(ASMA) products were characterized by HPLC, 1H NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. The two major fac-Re(CO)3(ASMA) diastereomeric products each have a linear ONO coordination mode with two adjacent five-membered chelate rings, but they differ in the endo or exo orientation of the uncoordinated acetate group, in agreement with expectations based on previous studies. Conditions have been identified for the expedient isomerization of fac-Re(CO)3(ASMA) to a mixture consisting primarily of one major product. Because different isomeric species typically have different pharmacokinetic characteristics, these conditions may provide for the practical isolation of a single 99mTc(CO)3(ASMA) species, thus allowing the isolation of the isomer that has optimal imaging and pharmacokinetic characteristics. This information will aid in the design of future 99mTc radiopharmaceuticals.

New monodentate amidine superbasic ligands with a single configuration in fac-[Re(CO)3(5,5'- or 6,6'-Me2bipyridine)(amidine)]BF4 complexes

Treatment of two precursors, fac-[Re(CO)(3)(L)(CH(3)CN)]BF(4) [L = 5,5'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (5,5'-Me(2)bipy) (1) and 6,6'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (6,6'-Me(2)bipy) (2)], with five C(2)-symmetrical saturated heterocyclic amines yielded 10 new amidine complexes, fac-[Re(CO)(3)(L)(HNC(CH(3))N(CH(2)CH(2))(2)Y)]BF(4) [Y = CH(2), (CH(2))(2), (CH(2))(3), NH, or O]. All 10 complexes possess the novel feature of having only one isomer (amidine E configuration), as established by crystallographic and (1)H NMR spectroscopic methods. We are confident that NMR signals of the other possible isomer (amidine Z configuration) would have been detected, if it were present. Isomers are readily detected in closely related amidine complexes because the double-bond character of the amidine C-N3 bond (N3 is bound to Re) leads to slow E to Z isomer interchange. The new fac-[Re(CO)(3)(L)(HNC(CH(3))N(CH(2)CH(2))(2)Y)]BF(4) complexes have C-N3 bonds with essentially identical double-bond character. However, the reason that the Z isomer is so unstable as to be undetectable in the new complexes is undoubtedly because of unfavorable clashes between the equatorial ligands and the bulky N(CH(2)CH(2))(2)Y ring moiety of the axial amidine ligand. The amidine formation reactions in acetonitrile (25 °C) proceeded more easily with 2 than with 1, indicating that the distortion in 6,6'-Me(2)bipy resulting from the proximity of the methyl substituents to the inner coordination sphere enhanced the reactivity of the coordinated CH(3)CN. Reaction times for 1 and 2 exhibited a similar dependence on the basicity and ring size of the heterocyclic amine reactants. Moreover, when the product of the reaction of 1 with piperidine, fac-[Re(CO)(3)(5,5'-Me(2)bipy)(HNC(CH(3))N(CH(2)CH(2))(2)CH(2))]BF(4), was challenged in acetonitrile-d(3) or CDCl(3) with a 5-fold excess of the strong 4-dimethylaminopyridine ligand, there was no evidence for replacement of the amidine ligand after two months, thus establishing that the piperidinylamidine ligand is a robust ligand. This chemistry offers promise as a suitable means for preparing isomerically pure conjugated fac-[(99m)Tc(CO)(3)L](n±) imaging agents, including conjugates with known bioactive heterocyclic amines.

Re(CO)(3)(H(2)O)(3)(+) binding to lysozyme: structure and reactivity

The reaction of Re(CO)(3)(H(2)O)(3)(+) with hen egg white lysozyme in aqueous solution results in a single covalent adduct. Both NMR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction show that the rhenium tricarbonyl cation binds to His15 via replacement of one of the coordinated water molecules. The formation of this adduct does not greatly affect the structure of the protein.

Nutritional and medicinal aspects of D-amino acids

This paper reviews and interprets a method for determining the nutritional value of D-amino acids, D-peptides, and amino acid derivatives using a growth assay in mice fed a synthetic all-amino acid diet. A large number of experiments were carried out in which a molar equivalent of the test compound replaced a nutritionally essential amino acid such as L-lysine (L-Lys), L-methionine (L-Met), L-phenylalanine (L-Phe), and L-tryptophan (L-Trp) as well as the semi-essential amino acids L-cysteine (L-Cys) and L-tyrosine (L-Tyr). The results show wide-ranging variations in the biological utilization of test substances. The method is generally applicable to the determination of the biological utilization and safety of any amino acid derivative as a potential nutritional source of the corresponding L-amino acid. Because the organism is forced to use the D-amino acid or amino acid derivative as the sole source of the essential or semi-essential amino acid being replaced, and because a free amino acid diet allows better control of composition, the use of all-amino-acid diets for such determinations may be preferable to protein-based diets. Also covered are brief summaries of the widely scattered literature on dietary and pharmacological aspects of 27 individual D-amino acids, D-peptides, and isomeric amino acid derivatives and suggested research needs in each of these areas. The described results provide a valuable record and resource for further progress on the multifaceted aspects of D-amino acids in food and biological samples.

NH NMR shifts of new structurally characterized fac-[Re(CO)3(polyamine)]n+ complexes probed via outer-sphere hydrogen-bonding interactions to anions, including the paramagnetic [Re(IV)Br6]2- anion

fac-[Re(I)(CO)(3)L](n) complexes serve as models for short-lived fac-[(99m)Tc(I)(CO)(3)L](n) imaging tracers (L = tridentate ligands forming two five-membered chelate rings defining the L face). Dangling groups on L, needed to achieve desirable biodistribution, complicate the NMR spectra, which are not readily understood. Using less complicated L, we found that NH groups (exo-NH) projecting toward the L face sometimes showed an upfield shift attributable to steric shielding of the exo-NH group from the solvent by the chelate rings. Our goal is to advance our ability to relate these spectral features to structure and solution properties. To investigate whether exo-NH groups in six-membered rings exhibit the same effect and whether the presence of dangling groups alters the effect, we prepared new fac-[Re(CO)(3)L](n+) complexes that allow direct comparisons of exo-NH shifts for six-membered versus five-membered chelate rings. New complexes were structurally characterized with the following L: dipn [N-3-(aminopropyl)-1,3-propanediamine], N'-Medipn (3,3'-diamino-N-methyldipropylamine), N,N-Me(2)dipn (N,N-dimethyldipropylenetriamine), aepn [N-2-(aminoethyl)-1,3-propanediamine], trpn [tris-(3-aminopropyl)amine], and tren [tris-(2-aminoethyl)amine]. In DMSO-d(6), the upfield exo-NH signals were exhibited by all complexes, indicating that the rings sterically shield the exo-NH groups from bulky solvent molecules. This interpretation was supported by exo-NH signal shift changes caused by added halide and [ReBr(6)](2-) anions, consistent with outer-sphere hydrogen-bond interactions between these anions and the exo-NH groups. For fac-[Re(CO)(3)(dipn)]PF(6) in acetonitrile-d(3), the exo-NH signal shifted further downfield in the series, Cl(-) > Br(-) > I(-), and the plateau in the shift change required a lower concentration for smaller anions. These results are consistent with steric shielding of the exo-NH groups by the chelate rings. Nevertheless, despite its size, the shape and charge of [ReBr(6)](2-) allowed the dianion to induce large upfield paramagnetic shifts of the exo-NH signal of fac-[Re(CO)(3)(dipn)]PF(6). This dianion shows promise as an outer-sphere hydrogen-bonding paramagnetic shift reagent.

Several novel N-donor tridentate ligands formed in chemical studies of new fac-Re(CO)3 complexes relevant to fac-99mTc(CO)3 radiopharmaceuticals: attack of a terminal amine on coordinated acetonitrile

To evaluate syntheses of fac-[Re(CO)(3)L](+) complexes in organic solvents, we treated fac-[Re(CO)(3)(CH(3)CN)(3)]PF(6)/BF(4) in acetonitrile with triamine ligands (L). When L had two primary or two tertiary terminal amine groups, the expected fac-[Re(CO)(3)L](+) complexes formed. In contrast, N,N-dimethyldiethylenetriamine (N,N-Me(2)dien) formed an unusual compound, fac-[Re(CO)(3)(DAE)]BF(4) {DAE = (Z)-N'-(2-(2-(dimethylamino)ethylamino)ethyl)acetimidamide = (Me(2)NCH(2)CH(2))NH(CH(2)CH(2)N=C(NH(2))Me)}. DAE is formed by addition of acetonitrile to the N,N-Me(2)dien terminal primary amine, converting this sp(3) nitrogen to an sp(2) nitrogen with a double bond to the original acetonitrile sp carbon. The three Ns bound to Re derive from N,N-Me(2)dien. The pathway to fac-[Re(CO)(3)(DAE)]BF(4) is suggested by a second unusual compound, fac-[Re(CO)(3)(MAE)]PF(6) {MAE = N-methyl-N-(2-(methyl-(2-(methylamino)ethyl)amino)ethyl)acetimidamide = MeN(H)-CH(2)CH(2)-N(Me)-CH(2)CH(2)-N(Me)-C(Me)=NH}, isolated after treating fac-[Re(CO)(3)(CH(3)CN)(3)]PF(6) with N,N',N''-trimethyldiethylenetriamine (N,N',N''-Me(3)dien). MAE chelates via a terminal and a central sp(3) N from N,N',N''-Me(3)dien and via one sp(2) NH in a C(Me)=NH group. This group is derived from acetonitrile by addition of the other N,N',N''-Me(3)dien terminal amine to the nitrile carbon. This addition creates an endocyclic NMe group within a seven-membered chelate ring. The structure and other properties of fac-[Re(CO)(3)(MAE)]PF(6) allow us to propose a reaction scheme for the formation of the unprecedented DAE ligand. The new compounds advance our understanding of the spectral and structural properties of Re analogues of (99m)Tc radiopharmaceuticals.

Coordination modes of multidentate ligands in fac-[Re(CO)(3)(polyaminocarboxylate)] analogues of (99m)Tc radiopharmaceuticals. dependence on aqueous solution reaction conditions

We study Re analogues of (99m)Tc renal agents to interpret previous results at the (99m)Tc tracer level. The relative propensities of amine donors versus carboxylate oxygen donors of four L = polyaminocarboxylate ligands to coordinate in fac-[Re(I)(CO)(3)L](n) complexes were assessed by examining the reaction of fac-[Re(I)(CO)(3)(H(2)O)(3)](+) under conditions differing in acidity and temperature. All four L [N,N-bis-(2-aminoethyl)glycine (DTGH), N,N-ethylenediaminediacetic acid, diethylenetriamine-N-malonic acid, and diethylenetriamine-N-acetic acid] can coordinate as tridentate ligands while creating a dangling chain terminated in a carboxyl group. Dangling carboxyl groups facilitate renal clearance in fac-[(99m)Tc(I)(CO)(3)L](n) agents. Under neutral conditions, the four ligands each gave two fac-[Re(I)(CO)(3)L](n) products with HPLC traces correlating well with known traces of the fac-[(99m)Tc(I)(CO)(3)L](n) mixtures. Such mixtures are common in renal agents because the needed dangling carboxyl group can compete for a coordination site. However, the HPLC separations needed to assess the biodistribution of a single tracer are impractical in a clinical setting. One goal in investigating this Re chemistry is to identify conditions for avoiding this problem of mixtures in preparations of fac-[(99m)Tc(I)(CO)(3)L](n) renal tracers. After separation and isolation of the fac-[Re(I)(CO)(3)L](n) products, NMR analysis of all products and single crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis of both DTGH products, as well as one product each from the other L, allowed us to establish coordination mode unambiguously. The product favored in acidic conditions has a dangling amine chain and more bound oxygen. The product favored in basic conditions has a dangling carboxyl chain and more bound nitrogen. At the elevated temperatures used for simulating tracer preparation, equilibration was facile (ca. 1 h or less), allowing selective formation of one product by utilizing acidic or basic conditions. The results of this fundamental study offer protocols and guidance useful for the design and preparation of fac-[(99m)Tc(I)(CO)(3)L](n) agents consisting of a single tracer.

Specific derivatization of lysozyme in aqueous solution with Re(CO)3(H2O)3(+)

The reaction of Re(CO)(3)(H(2)O)(3)(+) with hen egg lysozyme in aqueous solution results in a single covalent adduct; single crystal X-ray diffraction shows that the rhenium tricarbonyl cation binds to His15 in two significantly populated rotamer conformations.

Initial evaluation of new 99mTc(CO)3 renal imaging agents having carboxyl-rich thioether ligands and chemical characterization of ReCO3 analogues

INTRODUCTION

The first human studies of a characterized radiopharmaceutical containing a {(99m)Tc(CO)(3)}(+) core, Na[(99m)Tc(CO)(3)(LAN)], demonstrated that Na[(99m)Tc(CO)(3)(LAN)] was an excellent renal imaging agent; however, its clearance was less than that of (131)I-orthoiodohippurate ((131)I-OIH), and it did not provide a direct measure of effective renal plasma flow. In order to develop a (99m)Tc renal agent with pharmacokinetic properties equivalent to those of (131)I-OIH, we investigated the (99m)Tc(CO)(3)/Re(CO)(3) complexes formed from carboxymethylmercaptosuccinic acid (CMSAH(3)) and thiodisuccinic acid (TDSAH(4)). Once the ligand is bound to (99m)Tc(CO)(3) through a thioether and two carboxyl groups, the complexes have at least one unbound carboxyl group, essential for the interaction with the renal tubular transporter.

METHODS

X-ray crystal structural analysis of [NMe(4)][Re(CO)(3)(CMSAH)] was performed to interpret the nature of (99m)Tc tracers. CMSAH(3) and TDSAH(4) were radiolabeled by incubating each ligand and the precursor [(99m)Tc(CO)(3)(H(2)O)(3)](+) at 70 degrees C (pH 7) for 30 min. The products were purified by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, and biodistribution studies were performed in Sprague-Dawley rats, with (131)I-OIH as an internal control at 10 and 60 min.

RESULTS

Radiolabeling CMSAH(3) and TDSAH(4) with the [(99m)Tc(CO)(3)(H(2)O)(3)](+) precursor gave products quantitatively. Analysis of the Re(CO)(3) complexes with the CMSAH(3) and TDSAH(4) ligands demonstrates that ligands are bound in (99m)Tc/Re(CO)(3) complexes through a thioether and two deprotonated carboxyl groups (forming tridentate dianionic moieties, generally with two 5-membered chelate rings). Renal excretion at 60 min (activity in the urine as a percentage of (131)I-OIH) was 68+/-1% for Na(3)[(99m)Tc(CO)(3)(TDSA)] but was 98+/-1% for Na(2)[(99m)Tc(CO)(3)(CMSA)].

CONCLUSION

In rats, Na(2)[(99m)Tc(CO)(3)(CMSA)] is extracted by the kidneys and eliminated in the urine almost as rapidly as (131)I-OIH; consequently, Na(2)[(99m)Tc(CO)(3)(CMSA)] may provide a direct measure of effective renal plasma flow, and further evaluation in humans is warranted.