ROLE OF IRON-BINDING PROTEINS AND ENHANCED CAPILLARY-PERMEABILITY ON THE ACCUMULATION OF GA-67

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 21  (1) , 31-35
Abstract
The role of the Fe-binding proteins transferrin and lactoferrin and of increased capillary permeability on the accumulation of 67Ga was studied in rabbits. I.m. injection of histamine caused accumulation of 67Ga (injected i.v. as citrate) and of 99mTc DTPA [diethyltriamine pentaacetic acid] at the i.m. injection site. Normal saline and albumin did not. I.m. injection of transferrin or lactoferrin similarly caused 67Ga uptake. No accumulation of 99mTc DTPA was observed at the site of transferrin injection but there was a slight accumulation at the site of lactoferrin injection. Prior saturation of transferrin or lactoferrin with ferric ion abolished their effect on 67Ga accumulation. 67Ga pre-bound to transferrin in vitro did not accumulate at the site of histamine or transferrin injection but there was a slight accumulation at the lactoferrin site. Increased capillary permeability or Fe-binding proteins can cause local uptake of 67Ga. Since these factors are present at sites of inflammation, they may contribute to the accumulation of Ga in inflammatory lesions.