Preparation of 99mTc labeled vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) and biodistribution in rats

The aim of this study was to label ascorbic acid with Te-99m and to investigate its radiopharmaceutical potential in rats. Ascorbic acid was labeled with Tc-99m using the stannous chloride method. The radiochemical purity of [Tc-99m]ascorbic acid (Tc-99m-AA) was determined by RTLC, paper electrophoresis, and RHPLC methods. The labeling yield was found to be 93 +/- 5.0%. The maximum labeling yield of Tc-99m-AA was determined at pH 5 and 25 degrees C. The biodistribution studies related to Tc-99m-AA were done in male albino Wistar rats. Tc-99m-AA, which has a specific activity of 13.02 GBq/mmol, was administered into the tail vein of the rats. The rats were sacrificed at 15, 30, 60, and 120 min after the injection by heart puncture under ether anaesthesia. The organs were weighed after removal. Their activities were counted using a Cd(Te) detector equipped with a RAD 501 count system. The %ID/g (% of injected dose per gram of tissue weight) in each organ and in blood was calculated. Maximum uptake of Tc-99m-AA was observed in prostate and kidneys at the 60th min. Tc-99m-AA may be a promising radio-pharmaceutical for the imaging of prostate and kidneys.