ACCUMULATION OF 99MTC-DEXTRANS IN EXPERIMENTAL ABSCESSES IN COMPARISON TO 67GA-CITRATE

Meral T. ERCAN*,o, Nedim C. M. GÜLALDI*, Isil S. ÜNSAL*, Erkan ÜNLENEN*

*Deparment of Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, 06100 Sihhiye, Ankara, TURKEY.
oCorresponding Author

Summary:
Two different molecular weight [(1) M.W.=9300, (2) M.W.=74000] dextrans were labeled with 99mTc and evaluated for the scintigraphic visualization of experimental abscesses in comparison to 67Ga-citrate. 36 mice were injected with 50 µL turpentine in left thigh muscle. They were divided into 3 groups of 12 mice. 6 days later first group of animals was injected with 15 MBq of 99mTc-dextran (1), the second group with 99mTc-dextran(2) and the third group with 3.7 MBq of 67Ga-citrate trough the tail vein. The animals were sacrificed in groups of 3 at 1, 3, 6 and 24 h. All the organs, the whole abscesses, some blood and urine were removed, weighed and counted in a gamma counter. % injected dose/g organ and the concentration ratios were calculated. The highest uptake was observed in the liver, followed by kidneys and the urinary bladder with both dextrans. The maximum A/M ratios were 3.73±0.25(24h), 5.37±0.67 and 4.97±1.07(6h) for 99mTc-dextrans (1), (2) and 67Ga-citrate, respectively.

Key words:
99mTc-Dextran, 67Ga-citrate, Experimental abscesses, Inflammation