Performance and Sensitivity of [99mTc]Tc-sestamibi Compared with Positron Emission Tomography Radiotracers to Measure P-glycoprotein Function in the Kidneys and Liver

P-glycoprotein (P-gp, encoded in humans by the ABCB1 gene and in rodents by the Abcb1a/b genes) is a membrane transporter that can restrict the intestinal absorption and tissue distribution of many drugs and may also contribute to renal and hepatobiliary drug excretion. The aim of this study was to compare the performance and sensitivity of currently available radiolabeled P-gp substrates for positron emission tomography (PET) with the single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) radiotracer [Tc-99m]Tc-sestamibi for measuring the P-gp function in the kidneys and liver. Wild-type, heterozygous (Abcb1a/b((+/-))), and homozygous (Abcb1a/b((-/-))) Abcb1a/b knockout mice were used as models of different P-gp abundance in excretory organs. Animals underwent either dynamic PET scans after intravenous injection of [C-11]N-desmethyl-loperamide, (R)-[C-11]verapamil, or [C-11]metoclopramide or consecutive static SPECT scans after intravenous injection of [Tc-99m]Tc-sestamibi. P-gp in the kidneys and liver of the mouse models was analyzed with immunofluorescence labeling and Western blotting. In the kidneys, Abcb1a/b(()) mice had intermediate P-gp abundance compared with wild-type and Abcb1a/b((-/-)) mice. Among the four tested radiotracers, renal clearance of radioactivity (CLurine,kidney) was significantly reduced (-83%) in Abcb1a/b((-/-)) mice only for [Tc-99m]Tc-sestamibi. Biliary clearance of radioactivity (CLbile,liver) was significantly reduced in Abcb1a/b((-/-)) mice for [C-11]N-desmethyl-loperamide (-47%), [C-11]metoclopramide (-25%), and [Tc-99m]Tc-sestamibi (-79%). However, in Abcb1a/b((+/-)) mice, CLbile,liver was significantly reduced (-47%) only for [Tc-99m]Tc-sestamibi. Among the tested radiotracers, [Tc-99m]Tc-sestamibi performed best in measuring the P-gp function in the kidneys and liver. Owing to its widespread clinical availability, [Tc-99m]Tc-sestamibi represents a promising probe substrate to assess systemic P-gp-mediated drug-drug interactions and to measure renal and hepatic P-gp function under different (patho-)physiological conditions.