Complexing of reduced technetium and tin (II) by chelating phosphate compounds. I. Chemical state of technetium.

Complexing of reduced 99mTc, 99Tc and of 113Sn(II) by pyrophosphate was studied, using the in vivo distribution in the rat as an indicator for complex formation. 99mTc-pyrophosphate was only formed at very low technetium concentrations, otherwise colloid formation occurred. Reduced 99mTc in trace amounts and 113Sn(II) complexed equimolarly with pyrophosphate were concentrated in bone and excreted in urine in comparable amounts. The in vivo distribution of 32P-orthophosphate and -pyrophosphate was characterized by a considerable uptake in the liver and a poor urinary excretion. The distribution patterns of 32P-pyrophosphate, complexed equimolarly with tin(II), remained unchanged. Despite these findings it is concluded that real chelates are formed, since non-complexed reduced 99mTc was not concentrated in bone. Two variants of reduced technetium could be discerned: a 99mTc-kidney agent and a 99mTc protein-bound agent. Some evidence was found that reduced technetium may change its oxidation state, but it seems much more likely that both agents are technetium(IV) compounds. It is suggested that the kidney agent is hydrated technetium dioxide whereas the protein-bound agent is a charged technetium(IV) compound. Only hydrated technetium dioxide is obviously complexed by chelating phosphate compounds.