Instant thin layer chromatography (ITLC) - the most true and convenient method for the determination of radiochemical purity of Tc-99m Labeled radiopharmaceuticals

Full text: Determination of radiochemical purity usually involves paper chromatography method or some column chromatography such as ion exchange or gel filtration technique. In this study, a modified chromatography method with thin-layer support called instant thin Layer chromatography (ITLC) was used for the measurement of radiochemical purity. The aim of the study was to present instant thin layer chromatography-Silica-Gel (ITLC-SG) technique as a fairly rapid , convenient and inexpensive system for the screening of radiochemical impurities of 99mTc-labeled radiopharmaceuticals resulting from physical , chemical and/or radiation decomposition. Materials and Methods: The experiment was carried out at the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Ultrasound, Dhaka for a period of 10 months from August '05 to May '06. Radiochemical purity of seven types of 99mTc-labeled radiopharmaceuticals, namely 99mTc-DTPA,99mTc- MI I, 99m Tc - HDP, 99m Tc - DMSA, 99m Tc - Tetofosmin, 99mTc-Fyton and 99mTc-ECD were measured by the use of two solvent dual-instant thin layer chromatography systems. Commercially available instant thin layer chromatography plate ( 20cm x20cm) impregnated with silica gel (ITLC-SG: Merck, Germany) was used as a stationary phase for the measurement of radiochemical impurities.Acetone, Ethyl methyl ketone, chloroform and methanol were used to measure the amount of free pertechnetate in the labelled radiopharmaceuticals and 0.9% saline was used in all cases as solvent (Mobile phase) to measure the amount of the hydrolyzed-reduced technetium colloid. Results: The results showed that the measured radiochemical purity of 99mTc-DTPA, 99mTc-MIBI, 99mTc-HDP, 99mTc-DMSA, 99mTc-Tetofosmin, 99mTc-Fyton and 99mTc-ECD were acceptable for all the studied samples except two samples of 99mTc-MIBI, one sample of 99mTc-Fyton and two samples of 99mTc-ECD, where the measured radiochemical purity were not within the acceptable RCP limits of commonly used radiopharmaceuticals (RCP should be 90% to 100% for 99mTc compounds-USP XXI) Conclusion: The findings of the study indicate that routine RCP test of 99mTc-labeled radiopharmaceuticals through ITLC-SG method is a reliable one. Routine RCP measurement by this method not only prevents repeat patient study that results in increased radiation exposure to technologists and patients but also prevent the delay in reporting the study and the additional time and expenses involved. (author)