POTENTIAL TC-99M RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS FOR RENAL IMAGING - D-3-HYDROXY-2-METHYL-4-PYRIDINONATO)TECHNETIUM(IV) CATIONS

A series of monocationic complexes of N-substituted-3-hydroxy-2-methyl -4-pyridinones labeled with technetium(IV)-99m have been evaluated in vivo as potential radiopharmaceuticals. The pyridinones have different substituents at the ring nitrogen atom: ethyl, i-propyl, i-butyl, ben zyl, phenyl, p-methoxyphenyl, 3-butoxypropyl and cyclohexyl. Biodistri bution studies of the Tc-99m complexes have been carried out in rabbit s and mice. High kidney uptake and retention of the radionuclide has b een shown in rabbits and mice with the cationic complexes of -hydroxy- 1-(p-methoxyphenyl)-2-methyl-4-pyridinone and 1-(cyclohexyl)-3-hydroxy -2-methyl-4-pyridinone. These (TcL3+)-Tc-99m compounds appear to be mo rphologic renal agents.