OBJECTIVES: Conventional imaging methods are excellent for the morphological characterization of the consequences of osteonecrosis; however, only specialized techniques have been considered useful for obtaining functional information. To explore the affinity of radiotracers for severely devascularized bone, a new mouse model of isolated femur implanted in a subcutaneous abdominal pocket was devised. To maintain animal mobility and longevity, the femur was harvested from syngeneic donors. Two technetium-99m-labeled tracers targeting angiogenesis and bone matrix were selected. METHODS: Medronic acid and a homodimer peptide conjugated with RGDfK were radiolabeled with technetium-99m, and biodistribution was evaluated in Swiss mice. The grafted and control femurs were evaluated after 15, 30 and 60 days, including computed tomography (CT) and histological analysis. RESULTS: Radiolabeling achieved high (>95%) radiochemical purity. The biodistribution confirmed good blood clearance 1 hour after administration. For 99mTc-hydrazinonicotinic acid (HYNIC)-E-[c(RGDfK)2, remarkable renal excretion was observed compared to 99mTc-methylene diphosphonate (MDP), but the latter, as expected, revealed higher bone uptake. The results obtained in the control femur were equal at all time points. In the implanted femur, 99mTc-HYNIC-E-[c(RGDfK)2 uptake was highest after 15 days, consistent with early angiogenesis. Regarding 99mTc-MDP in the implant, similar uptake was documented at all time points, consistent with sustained bone viability; however, the uptake was lower than that detected in the control femur, as confirmed by histology. CONCLUSIONS: 1) Graft viability was successfully diagnosed using radiotracers in severely ischemic bone at all time points. 2) Analogously, indirect information about angiogenesis could be gathered using 999mTc-HYNIC-E-[c(RGDfK)2. 3) These techniques appear promising and warrant further studies to determine their potential clinical applications.

Objetivo: A angiogênese em resposta a fenômenos isquêmicos envolve vários mediadores como as integrinas, sendo que o tripeptídeo RGD possui uma seqüência de aminoácidos com reconhecimento para este alvo. O modelo animal de isquemia de pata traseira é simples e conveniente, porém não há uma padronização do procedimento de injeção e controle radioisotópico em membro desvascularizado, dificultando, portanto a interpretação de resultados. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a neovascularização em modelo murino de isquemia de pata traseira através do radiotraçador 99mTc-HYNIC-ß-Ala-RGD. Métodos: O análogo 99mTc-HYNIC-RGD foi preparado usando coligantes. A isquemia foi induzida em ratos Wistar por dupla-ligação da artéria femoral comum na prega inguinal. Peptídeo RGD radiomarcado foi injetado após 2h, assim como 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 e 14 dias. A captação foi avaliada por imagem planar e estudos de biodistribuição. Resultados: A maior diferença de captação entre isquemia e pata controle foi obtida no 7º dia (2,62 ± 0,95), com decréscimo acentuado no 14º dia. Para o pertecnetato a razão no 7º dia foi 0,87 ± 0,23. A imagem cintilográfica confirmou as diferentes captações. Conclusões: O análogo 99mTc-HYNIC-RGD concentrou-se no tecido isquêmico na etapa em que a angiogênese é mais acentuada, e o estudo do pertecnetato confirmou a redução no fluxo sanguíneo. Desta maneira, este protocolo diagnóstico pode ser recomendado para modelos isquêmicos.

Purpose: Angiogenesis involves many mediators including integrins, and the tripeptide RGD is a target amino acid recognition sequence for many of them. Hindlimb ischemia is a simple and convenient animal model however standardization of the injection procedures in the devascularized and control limb is lacking, thus rendering difficult the interpretation of results. The aim of this investigations was to evaluate neovascularization in a hindlimb murine model by means of 99mTc-HYNIC-ß-Ala-RGD. Methods: 99mTc-HYNIC-RGD analog was prepared using coligands. Ischemia was induced in Wistar rats by double- ligation of the common femoral artery. Radiolabeled RGD was injected after 2h, as well as 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 days. Uptake was evaluated by planar imaging and biodistribution studies. Results: The highest ratio between ischemia and control was achieved at the 7th day (2.62 ± 0.95), with substantial decrease by the 14th day. For pertechnetate the 7th day ratio was 0.87 ± 0.23. Scintigraphic image confirmed different uptakes. Conclusion: 99mTc-HYNIC-RGD analog concentrated in ischemic tissue by the time of widespread angiogenesis and pertechnetate confirmed reduction in blood flow. In this sense, the protocol can be recommended for ischemic models.