Rhenium-188 and technetium-99m nitridobis(N-ethoxy-N-ethyldithiocarbamate) leucocyte labelling radiopharmaceuticals: [188ReN(NOET)2] and [99mTcN(NOET)2], NOET = Et(EtO)NCS2: their in vitro localization and chemical behaviour.

In this study, we have investigated the preparation of rhenium-188 nitridobis(N-ethoxy-N-ethyldithiocarbamate) [188ReN(NOET)2] (NOET = Et(EtO)NCS2), analogous to the known technetium-99m radiopharmaceutical. The new 188Re complex was synthesized in good yield with a satisfactory radiochemical purity, using a kit method. The subcellular localization of both radiopharmaceuticals in granulocytes was observed by microautoradiography. The uptake was independent of the radionuclide and predominantly nuclear. Furthermore, HPLC was used to characterize the 99mTc complex before and after blood cell labelling and revealed that the intact radiopharmaceutical was involved.