List of Experiments

University of California, Los Angeles

UCLA-1. Early Experimental Imaging of the Thyroid Gland Using Iodine­131

IN 1951, the University of California, Los Angeles conducted a series of tests on humans to study the uptake of radioiodine into the thyroid gland. Additional tests were made on patients at the Sawtelle Veteran's Hospital. The main purpose of this study was to test a new automatic scanner and recorder.

Initial scans were made using a collimated gamma scintillation counter. This equipment enabled a record to be obtained on which an image of the gland was visible and which the researchers concluded was better than a total activity count for clinical studies of thyroid disease.

The second set of scans was made on a frozen tissue preparation obtained from a terminal patient who had been given 3 millicuries of iodine-131, 14 hours before his death. The measured total activity of the thyroid gland at the time it was scanned was about 50 microcuries.

The results of these tests led to increased use of this equipment for clinical diagnostic scans in other patients with thyroid disorders. This work was supported by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.

References

Cassen, B., and L. Curtis. AThe In Vivo Delineation of Thyroid Glands with an Automatically Scanning Recorder.@Los Angeles: University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-130, April 30, 1951, p. 4B9.  "

UCLA-2. Zinc Metabolism Studies Using Zinc-65

DURING THE LATE 1950s, researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles; Boston University School of Medicine; and the Massachusetts Memorial Hospitals conducted studies on the metabolism of zinc using zinc-65 (Zn⁶⁵).

Twenty-one patients with neoplastic disease and one patient with generalized arteriosclerosis participated as subjects. Each was intravenously administered Zn⁶⁵ as zinc ammonium citrate. The amounts of activity administrated were not reported.

These studies showed that zinc appeared rapidly in white blood cells and persisted for several weeks. It appeared less rapidly in red cells, but persisted much longer. The injected zinc concentrated in the liver and other major organs and was excreted slowly in urine and feces. This study was supported by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.

References

Ross, J.F., F.G. Ebaugh, Jr., and T.R. Talbot, Jr. ARadioisotopic Studies of Zinc Metabolism in Human Subjects.@Transactions of the Association of American Physicians. Vol. 71, May 1958, pp. 322B336.  "

UCLA-3. A Study of Strontium-85 and Calcium-47 Metabolism in Patients with Osteoporosis, Paget=s Disease, and Metastatic Bone Tumors

IN 1959, RESEARCHERS at the University of California Medical School, Los Angeles conducted a series of studies on strontium-85 (Sr⁸⁵) metabolism using hospital patients with osteoporosis, other skeletal disorders (such as Paget=s disease), and various cancers to determine the uptake and retention of strontium in selected tissues.

The study population included nine hospital patients and six normal volunteers. Five to 15 microcuries of Sr⁸⁵ as the chloride were administered intravenously to each subject. The rates of Sr⁸⁵ accumulation were determined for selected parts of the body, using a shielded sodium iodide gamma scintillation counter. Strontium-85 injections were repeated in some of the patients. Excretion rates of Sr⁸⁵ in urine and stool were determined in one patient. Some of the patients also received tracer amounts of human serum albumin labeled with iodine-131 (I¹³¹) by intravenous injection to determine the uptake and retention of protein-bound I¹³¹ for comparison to Sr⁸⁵.

These studies indicated that Sr⁸⁵ uptake was normal in Anonsenile@osteoporotic patients, but reduced in patients with Asenile@osteoporosis, due presumably to reduced capillary blood flow.

These studies continued from 1959 to 1962 and included additional injections of Sr⁸⁵ and calcium-47 in other hospital patients with multiple myeloma and other diseases to improve understanding of the metabolism of strontium and calcium in man. The effects on strontium metabolism and calcium balance of administered prednisone, testosterone propionate, and adrenocorticotropic hormone were also studied in one patient. This work was supported by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.

References

MacDonald, N.S., M. Hepler, and E. Brooks. ARadiostrontium Metabolism in Humans.@Department and Laboratories of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Semiannual Progress Report. Los Angeles: University of California, Los Angeles at School of Medicine, UCLA-444, June 1959, pp. 58B59.

MacDonald, N.S. The Radioisotope OsteogramCKinetic Studies of Skeletal Disorders in Humans.Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-449, October 16, 1959, pp. 4B34.

MacDonald, N.S., M. Hepler, B. Flynn, and H. Jones. ARadiostrontium Metabolism in Humans.@Department of Biophysics and Nuclear Medicine Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Semiannual Progress Report. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-457, December 1959, pp. 65B66.

MacDonald, N.S. AThe UCLA Total-Body Counter Facility.@Department of Biophysics and Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Semiannual Progress Report. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-460, June 1960, p. 15.

MacDonald, N.S. AStudies with Radiostrontium.@Department of Biophysics and Nuclear Medicine Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Semiannual Progress Report. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-507, June 1962, pp. 76B78.  "

UCLA-4. Studies of Liver Function and Blood Flow Using Rose Bengal Iodine-131 and Colloidal Gold­198 in Normal and Diseased Subjects

IN THE LATE 1950s AND EARLY 1960s, researchers at University of California Medical School, Los Angeles and at the Los Angeles County Harbor General Hospital conducted tracer studies using iodine-131 (I¹³¹)Blabeled rose bengal (a sodium salt stain) and colloidal gold-198 (Au¹⁹⁸). The purpose of this study was to determine whether the I¹³¹-labeled rose bengal hepatogram provided an improved method for diagnosing jaundice.

At least 120 patients with a variety of liver and hepatobiliary tract diseases, and 45 subjects with normal liver functions participated in the study. Blood clearance half-times for intravenously injected rose bengal I¹³¹ and colloidal Au¹⁹⁸ were studied to assess liver blood flow and cell function. This allowed researchers to correlate functional abnormalities of the liver with vascular defects. The colloidal radiogold test was found useful for diagnosis of severe jaundice, ascites(fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity) of unknown origin, and acute gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage.

In 1959, blood clearance stress tests using I¹³¹-labeled rose bengal were performed on 23 subjects with normal liver function and compared with tests on 39 nonjaundiced patients having probable liver disease, and on 25 other patients with confirmed liver disease. This study confirmed that this test was more sensitive than tests then in use. Tracer studies using I¹³¹-labeled rose bengal and colloidal Au¹⁹⁸ were continued in 1960 to assess liver blood flow and cellular function in patients with congestive heart failure. Clearance rates of I¹³¹ and Au¹⁹⁸ were determined. At least 13 subjects participated in these studies, including patients with congestive heart failure, hepatitis, jaundice, cirrhosis, and 1 subject with a normal liver.

The investigators showed that reduced blood flow occurred in liver cirrhosis but not in jaundice. This work was supported by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.

References

Taplin, G.V., D.E. Johnson, and M. Hirsh. AInvestigations with Rose Bengal Iodine-131.@Department Laboratories of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Semiannual Progress Report. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-444, June 1959, pp. 48B50.

Taplin, G.V., D.E. Johnson, and O.M. Meredith. AStudies of Liver Function and Hepatic Blood Flow Using Rose Bengal and Colloidal Gold.@Department Laboratories of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Semiannual Progress Report. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-444, June 1959, pp. 52B53.

Taplin, G.V., D.E. Johnson, and J. Hayashi. AClinical Studies of Liver Function and Hepatic Blood Flow Using Rose Bengal Iodine-131 and Colloidal Gold-198.@Department of Biophysics and Nuclear Medicine Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Semiannual Progress Report. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-457, December 1959, pp. 63B64.

Taplin, G.V., J. Hayashi, D.E. Johnson, and E. Dore. ATracer Studies with Radiogold and Rose Bengal in Hepatobiliary Disease.@Department Laboratories of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Semiannual Progress Report. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-460, June 1960, p. 20.

Taplin, G.V., D.E. Johnson, and J. Hayashi. ALiver Blood Flow in Hepatobiliary Disease (Tracer Studies with Radiogold and Rose Bengal).@Department of Biophysics and Nuclear Medicine Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Semiannual Progress Report. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-469, December 31, 1960, p. 62B63.

Dore, E.K., G.V. Taplin, D.E. Johnson, and E.B. Plummer. ABlood Disappearance Rate Measurements (Comparison Between Radioactive Colloidal Gold and I¹³¹-Labeled Heat Denatured Albumen Aggregates).@Department of Biophysics and Nuclear Medicine Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Semiannual Progress Report. Los Angeles: University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-469, December 31, 1960, pp. 52B53. 

Dore, E.K., G.V. Taplin, D.E. Johnson, and E.B. Plummer. ALiver Blood Flow and Cellular Function Tracer Studies in Patients with Congestive Heart Failure.@Department of Biophysics and Nuclear Medicine Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Semiannual Progress Report. Los Angeles: University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-469, December 31, 1960, pp. 59B60.  "

UCLA-5. Tracer Studies Using Iodine-125, Iodine-131, and Gold-198 to Evaluate Functions of the Reticuloendothelial System

STUDIES WERE CONDUCTED in 1960 at the University of California Medical School, Los Angeles to develop tracer methods for evaluating the phagocytic (engulfing foreign matter and breaking it down chemically) and digestive functions of the reticuloendothelial system (a defensive mechanism against foreign materials) in man.

Experiments were conducted using iodine-131 (I¹³¹) colloidal agents administered to 8 normal subjects and 13 patients with various renal disorders. The amounts of I¹³¹ tracer administered as iodinated albumin aggregates were not stated. Blood clearance half-times for I¹³¹ were determined. Colloidal gold-198 (Au¹⁹⁸) was also administered to patients to evaluate uptake in liver cells for comparison with the metabolism of I¹³¹-labeled proteins.

A study in 1961 at the Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology, University of California, Los Angeles used heat-treated serum albumin labeled with I¹³¹ to determine blood flow and reticuloendothelial system functions. The number of subjects involved in this study was not stated. A further study in 1961 involved clinical trials with colloidal suspensions of I¹³¹-labeled human serum albumin to estimate phagocytic and proteolytic digestive functions of the reticuloendothelial system. Fifteen healthy subjects and an unstated number of patients with diseases involving the organs of the reticuloendothelial system participated.

In 1964, patients with cirrhosis of the liver were injected with albumin microaggregates labeled with I¹²⁵. The purpose of this study was to determine the extraction efficiency of the liver. After injection, samples of blood were obtained from catheters in the hepatic vein and a peripheral vein. It was determined that the extraction efficiency of the liver in cirrhosis is dependent to a large extent on the degree of portal hypertension. These studies were funded by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.

References

Taplin, G.V., D.K. Dore, D.E. Johnson, and E.B. Plummer. ATracer Method for Estimating Phagocytic and Digestive Functions of the Reticuloendothial System (RES) in Man.@Department of Biophysics and Nuclear Medicine Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Semiannual Progress Report. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-469, December 1960, pp. 53B59.

Taplin, G.V., M.L. Griswold, and E.L. Dore. Preparation of Colloidal Suspensions of Human Serum Albumin I¹³¹ for Estimating Liver Blood Flow and Reticuloendothelial System Functions in Man. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology, UCLA-481, June 23, 1961, pp. 3B20.

Taplin, G.V., E.K. Dore, and D.E. Johnson. Clinical Studies of Reticuloendothelial Functions with Colloidal Suspensions of Human Albumin I¹³¹. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology, UCLA-489, September 20, 1961, pp. 3B13.

Taplin, G.V., E.K. Dore, E.J. Garcia, and M.L. Griswold. ATracer Studies of Reticuloendothelial System (RES) Functions.@Department of Biophysics and Nuclear Medicine Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Semiannual Progress Report. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-507, June 1962, p. 73.

White, J.R., D.E. Johnson, and G.V. Taplin. AComparison of Hepatic Vein Wedge Pressure and Liver Blood Flow in Cirrhosis.@Department of Biophysics and Nuclear Medicine Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Semiannual Progress Report. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-12-541, December 1964, pp. 74B75.  "

UCLA-6. Retention of Vitamin B₁₂ Labeled with Cobalt-60

IN 1960, RESEARCHERS at the Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology at the University of California, Los Angeles conducted studies on the whole-body retention of vitamin B₁₂ labeled with cobalt-60 (Co⁶⁰).

In the first study, four normal volunteer subjects received an oral administration of 0.02 microcurie of Co⁶⁰-labeled vitamin B₁₂. The subjects were then monitored in the whole-body counter over a period of 7 days. The purpose of the study was to determine the retention of vitamin B₁₂ in the whole body, liver, and intestinal tract, and to demonstrate the whole-body counter=s sensitivity for measuring small amounts of gamma radioactivity in humans. The measurements showed a retention of 50 to 81 percent of the administered activity at 7 days post-ingestion of vitamin B₁₂.

The results of this study were compared with results of the routine Schilling test performed on four other hospital patients with pernicious anemia. These patients were injected with 0.5 microcurie of Co⁶⁰, which was accompanied by an injection of a flushing dose of nonlabeled vitamin B₁₂.

The conclusion of the study was that similar diagnostic information could be obtained using this Co⁶⁰-B₁₂ whole-body counting technique with 96 percent less Co⁶⁰ than that used with the Schilling test. These studies were funded by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.

References

MacDonald, N.S., M. Hepler, and O. Reiner. AMonitoring and Research Activities in the Total-Body Counter Facility.@Department of Biophysics and Nuclear Medicine Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Semiannual Progress Report. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-469, December 1960, pp. 77B79.  "

UCLA-7. Retention of Iodine-131BLabeled Human Serum Albumin

IN THIS 1962 STUDY at the University of California, Los Angeles the body retention of human serum albumin labeled with iodine-131 (I¹³¹) was determined by frequent measurements of hospital patients and normal volunteers in the UCLA total-body counter.

Twenty subjects received an intravenous administration of approximately 5 microcuries of I¹³¹-labeled human serum albumin (HSA). This study included normal subjects in addition to patients with various disorders, including: duodenal ulcer, hepatitis, lymphosarcoma, ulcerative colitis, and regional enteritis. Potassium iodide was given prior to I¹³¹-labeled HSA administration to minimize thyroid uptake of the radioiodine. The subjects with ulcerative colitis retained only 14 to 31 percent of the human serum albumin after 14 days, while all other subjects retained over 40 percent after 14 days. This study was funded by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.

References

MacDonald, N.S. ARetention of I¹³¹-Labeled Human Serum Albumin.@Department of Biophysics and Nuclear Medicine Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Semiannual Progress Report. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-510, December 1962, pp. 67B68.  "

UCLA-8. Study of Calcium Metabolism Using Calcium-47 as a Tracer

BETWEEN 1962 AND 1964, staff of the University of California Medical School, Los Angeles conducted calcium metabolism studies using calcium-47 (Ca⁴⁷) to determine the gastrointestinal absorption of calcium by humans.

Calcium-47 was administered orally to 11 patients at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Los Angeles. The administered activity is not stated. Some of the patients suffered from cirrhosis of the liver, osteoporosis, or hyperparathyroidism. Four were on calcium balance, and three were normal, healthy subjects. The investigators assayed the Ca⁴⁷ in stool, urine, and blood and conducted total-body counts.

This study showed that calcium absorption rates in normal and osteoporotic subjects were highly variable and overlapped between groups. This study was funded by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.

References

Figueroa, W.G., N.S. MacDonald, and S.G. Tuttle. ACa⁴⁷ Absorption Studies in Man.@Department of Biophysics and Nuclear Medicine Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Semiannual Progress Report. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-12-529, June 1964, pp. 57B58.

MacDonald, N.S. AMetabolic Studies in Humans, Using Radionuclides.@Department of Biophysics and Nuclear Medicine Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Semiannual Progress Report. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-510, December 1962, pp. 66B67.  "

UCLA-9. Study of Lung Imaging Techniques Using Albumin Labeled with Iodine-131 and Iodine-125

BETWEEN 1963 AND 1965, the University of California Medical School, Los Angeles conducted studies to develop new methods for imaging the lungs.

In these studies, albumin (a simple protein found in the body), labeled with 100 to 200 microcuries of iodine-131 (I¹³¹) or iodine-125 (I¹²⁵), was administered by intravenous injection. The subjects=lungs were then scanned to produce an image to determine where the albumin deposited. Areas of impaired lung function were indicated by low uptake of I¹³¹ or I¹²⁵-albumin. Using this technique, lung tumors and other abnormalities were detectable before they were apparent on traditional x­rays.

These methods were tested on patients with a variety of lung disorders, including pneumonia, tuberculosis, and lung cancer. Subjects with normal lung function were also used for comparison. Approximately 100 subjects were used in these studies. This research was supported by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.

References

Taplin, G.V., D.E. Johnson, E.K. Dore, and H.S. Kaplan. Lung Scans and Regional Pulmonary Blood Flow in Man Using Macro Radioalbumin Aggregates (<15:).Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-12-520, December 1963, pp. 65B67.

Taplin, G.V., D.E. Johnson, E.K. Dore, and H.S. Kaplan. Lung Photoscans with Macroaggregates of Human Serum Radioalbumin (Experimental Basis and Initial Clinical Trials). Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-12-521, April 1964, pp. 3B46.  "

UCLA-10. Strontium-85 Retention in Humans

A STUDY WAS CONDUCTED in 1964 at the University of California, Los Angeles on the skeletal retention of strontium-85 (Sr⁸⁵) in subjects after intravenous injection. The purpose of this study was to develop a correlation between body depositions of strontium and the amount excreted in urine at various times after injection. It was hoped that this information could be used to estimate the amounts of strontium-90 (Sr⁹⁰) fallout in people exposed to radioactive fallout from atmospheric weapons testing.

Twenty-three subjects, both men and women, were selected to participate in this study. The subjects ranged in age from 11 to 76 years and included 10 patients with osteoporosis, 4 cancer patients, 6 patients with other illnesses, and 3 normal healthy subjects. These subjects were each injected with 5 to 10 microcuries of Sr⁸⁵ chloride.

The amount of Sr⁸⁵ retained in the subjects=bodies was measured in the University=s total-body counter at frequent intervals for up to several months post-injection. Radiation measurements were also selectively made over the knee and tibia midshaft (shin) areas of nine subjects to estimate the fraction of the total-body deposition in skeletal tissue. Complete collections of all urine and feces were obtained from 11 patients on metabolic balance regimens to determine calcium/strontium ratios.

The study showed that strontium intake and body deposition could be evaluated by urinalysis measurements. Funding for the study was provided by the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.

References

MacDonald, N.S., W.G. Figueroa, and M.R. Urist. AShort-Term Retention of Strontium-85 and Estimation of Initial Strontium Body Burdens in Humans.@Department of Biophysics and Nuclear Medicine Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Semiannual Report. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-12-541, December 31, 1964, pp. 59B60.

MacDonald, N.S., W.G. Figueroa, and M.R. Urist. AShort-Term Retention of Strontium-85 and Estimation of Initial Strontium-90 Burdens in Humans.@Health Physics. Vol. 11, 1965, pp. 1,187B1,194.  "

UCLA-11. Lung Scanning of Inhaled Radiopharmaceuticals Using Iodine-131 and Technetium­99m

DURING THE PERIOD 1964 TO 1968, the Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiobiology at the University of California, Los Angeles conducted studies on the use of radiolabeled compounds for the diagnosis of various pulmonary diseases in man. While most of these studies were intended for the diagnosis of conditions in patients with disease, some of the studies were conducted using normal, healthy volunteer subjects.

Aerosols of albumin aggregate labeled with iodine-131 (I¹³¹) and administered by inhalation were used to diagnose bronchial obstructions in patients with lung cancers and in normal volunteer subjects. The lungs of each subject were imaged using a gamma camera after administration of the aerosol. The number of subjects and the amounts of activity administered were not stated. The diffusion of gases across alveolar (air cells in the lungs) membranes was studied in an unstated number of normal, healthy subjects using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid labeled with technetium-99m (Tc^99m-EDTA) administered by inhalation. The distribution of the Tc^99m-EDTA in the lungs was then determined by gamma camera imaging. The amount of Tc^99m-EDTA administered to each subject was not stated. These studies were funded by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.

References

Taplin, G.V., N.D. Poe, and M.L. Griswold. Detection of Bronchial Obstruction by Lung Scanning After Radioaerosol Inhalation. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology, UCLA-12-541, December 1964, pp. 64B68.

Taplin, G.V., and T. Isawa. Regional Alveolar Liquid Diffusibility by Lung Scintigraphy. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology, UCLA-12-686, June 1968, pp. 41B43.

Taplin, G.V., and T. Isawa. Regional Alveolar Liquid Diffusibility Studied By Lung Scintigraphy. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology, UCLA-12-706, December 1968, pp. 5B6.  "

UCLA-12. Measurement of Loss of Iodine­131BLabeled Human-Serum Albumin in Children

IN 1967, nine healthy children aged 6 months to 12 years, and seven ill children aged 18 months to 14 years, participated in a study at the University of California, Los Angeles to determine the rate of loss of iodine-131 (I¹³¹)Blabeled human serum albumin by using total-body counting. The study was designed to compare the retention between healthy and ill children and between children and adults.

After their thyroid uptake was blocked with Lugol=s solution, the children were intravenously injected with 0.05 to 0.10 microcurie of I¹³¹-albumin, estimated to impart an absorbed dose of about 10 millirads. Whole-body retention was studied for 3 weeks following injection.

This study showed that I¹³¹ was retained in healthy children with half-times ranging from 2 to 13 days, a period shorter than the 13- to 18-day adult retention period. The study was funded by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.

References

Hayes, M., W.M. Larson, Jr., and N.S. MacDonald. AMeasurement of Loss of Labeled Albumin in Children By Means of Total-Body Counting.@Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Semiannual Progress Report. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-12-640, June 1967, pp. 22B23.  "

UCLA-13. Copper-67 Absorption in Patients with Disorders of Iron Metabolism

IN APPROXIMATELY 1968, a preliminary study of copper absorption was conducted at the University of California, Los Angeles. Copper-67 (Cu⁶⁷) was used to measure total-body absorption and retention of elemental copper in seven patients with disorders of iron metabolism, and in two normal volunteers.

Subjects were orally administered an unstated amount of Cu⁶⁷ with a small amount of stable copper. The absorption and retention were measured in the Total-Body Counter Facility over a period of 15 days. Due to the variability between patients of day-to-day measurements, the experiment produced only rough estimates of copper absorption and retention. This study was funded by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.

References

MacDonald, N.S., I. Ban, A. Flesher, and M. Hackendorf. ATotal-Body Counter Facility.@Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Semiannual Progress Report. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-12-706, December 1968, pp. 10B12.  "

UCLA-14. Total-Body Counting of Iodine­131BLabeled Gamma Globulins

AROUND 1968, researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles conducted a study of metabolic kinetics of gamma globulins. Gamma globulins labeled with an unstated amount of iodine-131 (I¹³¹) or iodine-125 (I¹²⁵) were administered intravenously to 11 hospital patients. The rates of loss of these substances from the blood and from the body were measured over a period of 3 to 4 weeks.

This study showed that the blood concentrations of the g-type gamma globulin labeled with I¹³¹ cleared with a half-time of 10 to 32 days. The time range for complete clearance of I¹³¹ from the body was 9 to 60 days. In patients who also received the m-type gamma globulin, the rate of metabolism was faster, showing a clearance half-time of 1.3 to 20 days. This work was funded by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.

References

MacDonald, N.S., J. Hurwit, I. Ban, and A. Flesher. ATotal-Body Counter Facility.@Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Semiannual Progress Report. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-12-686, June 1968, pp. 48B49.

MacDonald, N.S., I. Ban, A. Flesher, and M. Hackendorf. ATotal-Body Counter Facility.@Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Semiannual Progress Report. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-12-706, December 1968, pp. 10B12.  "

UCLA-15. Study of Manganese-54 and Copper-67 Absorption and Retention

IN A 1969 STUDY conducted at the University of California, Los Angeles, 14 subjects were administered isotopes of manganese and copper to determine the absorption and retention rates of these elements. The subjects were seven patients with hemochromatosis (excessive iron in the body) and seven normal, healthy volunteers.

Each subject was orally administered manganese-54 (Mn⁵⁴) as manganese chloride and measured for body retention with a whole-body counter two to three times a week. Eight subjects were counted for 3 weeks, and six subjects were counted for 60 days. Whole-body counting also was used to evaluate copper absorption and retention in the hemochromatosis patients who had been administered 20 to 25 microcuries of copper-67 (Cu⁶⁷).

These studies showed that Mn⁵⁴ absorption ranged from 6 to 34 percent, with a mean of 13 percent. The Cu⁶⁷ absorption ranged from 46 to 84 percent. Further study was needed to determine whether increased Mn⁵⁴ absorption in two patients was associated with hemochromatosis or related to an iron deficiency produced by repeated phlebotomy (therapeutic bleeding). This research was funded by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.

References

MacDonald, N.S., and W.G. Figueroa. AManganese Absorption and Retention in Humans.@Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Semiannual Progress Report. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-12-724, June 1969, pp. 51B52.  "

UCLA-16. Study of Inhaled Pollen-Associated Asthma Using Tech-netium-99m and Xenon­133

IN THE EARLY 1970s, researchers at the University of California Medical School, Los Angeles conducted a study of the distribution of inhaled grass pollen to understand how large pollen grains are able to induce bronchospasm reactions in sensitive subjects.

Four normal subjects and five asymptomatic allergic subjects inhaled pollen grains labeled with technetium-99m (Tc^99m). Gamma camera scintiphotos of their head, chest, and abdominal regions were then obtained. Standard lung function studies, which included administration of xenon-133 (Xe¹³³), were conducted before and after the pollen inhalation.

The results of the study indicated that the inhaled pollen grains were too large to reach the bronchial mucosa; and therefore the pollens deposited mostly in the mouth and pharynx and produced clinical asthma 4 to 8 hours later. This research was funded by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.

References

Wilson, A.F., E.L. Surprenant, H.S. Novey, and L. Bennett. ADistribution of Inhaled Grass Pollen and Its Relation to Bronchospasm Production.@Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology, UCLA-12-919, June 1973, p. 74.  "

UCLA-17. Liver Blood Flow Study Using Gold-198 and Technetium-99m

IN THE EARLY 1970s, researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles conducted studies on venous blood flow to the liver. The purpose of this study was to show that certain disease conditions tend to localize in the liver=s right lobe.

Twelve volunteer patients without liver disease who were undergoing abdominal surgery participated as subjects. Each subject was administered 200 to 300 microcuries of gold-198 (Au¹⁹⁸)Bcolloid intravenously. The uptake and retention of Au¹⁹⁸ in lobes of the liver were then measured by scintiscan. Immediately thereafter, 2 to 5 millicuries of technetium-99m (Tc^99m)Bmicroaggregated albumin were injected into an arm vein and a second liver scan was performed. The distribution in blood flow of Au¹⁹⁸ from the mesenteric vein was compared to the control injection using Tc^99m.

Results showed that streamlining to the right lobe did occur, but that it was dependent on which mesenteric vein (cecal, terminal ileal, mid-jejunal, or sigmoid) was injected. This experiment was funded by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.

References

Gates, G.F., and E.K. Dore. APortal Streamlining after Mesenteric Vein Injection with Au¹⁹⁸ Colloid.@Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Annual Progress Report. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-12-815, June 1971, pp. 113B114.  "

UCLA-18. Thrombophlebitis Scanning Using Technetium-99m and Iodine-125

IN THE EARLY 1970s, researchers at the Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology of the University of California, Los Angeles conducted studies using technetium-99m (Tc^99m) to diagnose and study thrombophlebitis (inflammation of a vein associated with clot formation) in veins of the legs. The purpose of this study was to see whether thrombophlebitis could cause pulmonary embolisms (obstructions caused by transported clots).

The subjects for the first study included 73 patients with thrombophlebitis (many of whom also had pulmonary emboli) and 90 control subjects without disease. This study involved injecting 1.5 millicuries of Tc^99m-albumin in the veins and measuring its accumulation. The results of this study showed that 80 percent of patients with pulmonary embolisms also had positive scans for thrombophlebitis.

In a related follow-on study involving additional normal subjects (10 or more) and hundreds of patients with actual or suspected thrombophlebitis, comparisons were made between two different diagnostic techniques. The first technique involved injection of 1.5 millicuries of Tc^99m-labeled albumin to detect areas of thrombophlebitis in 32 additional patients. The second technique involved injection of 100 microcuries of iodine-125 (I¹²⁵)Blabeled blood clotting factor (fibrinogen) in an additional 50 patients. Scans of the lower legs of each subject were then performed over a 7- to 30-day post-injection period to measure accumulation.

Both the Tc^99m-albumin and the I¹²⁵-fibrinogen uptake tests were found to be useful for detecting blood clots. This work was supported by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.

References

Webber, M.M., W.K. Victery, and M.D. Cragin. ADemonstration of Thrombophlebitis and Endothelial Damage by Scintiscanning.@Radiology. Vol. 100, July 1971, pp. 93B97.

Webber, M.M., L.H. Resnick, B. Fouad, and W.K. Victery. AVariants of the Normal Lung Scan: Correlation with Pulmonary Function Tests.@Journal of Nuclear Medicine. Vol. 13, 1972, p. 72.

Webber, M., W.K. Victery, and L.H. Resnick. AThrombosis Scanning, a Reliable and Useful Test for Diagnosis of Intravascular Clots.@Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Annual Progress Report. Los Angeles: Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-12-858, June 1972, pp. 71.

Webber, M.M., L.H. Resnick, W.K. Victery, and M.D. Cragin. AThrombosis Scanning: Its Reliability and Usefulness.@Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Annual Progress Report. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-12-919, June 1973, pp. 68.

Webber, M.M., E. Pollak, W.K. Victery, and G. Taplin. ADeep Venous Thrombosis: Correlation of Scintigraphic Detection With Venography and Fibrinogen Uptake Test.@Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Annual Progress Report. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-12-966, June 1974, pp. 96B97.  "

UCLA-19. Studies of Liver Circulation and Metabolism in Normal and Diseased Subjects Using Technetium-99m Albumin Microaggregates

IN 1970 AND 1971, researchers at the Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology of the University of California, Los Angeles conducted gamma camera studies of the liver=s dual circulation. The purpose of these studies was to investigate the utility of technetium-99m (Tc^99m)Blabeled albumin (a simple protein found throughout the body) aggregates for measuring the digestive capacity of the reticuloendothelial system.

Studies were conducted on an unspecified number of normal subjects, hospital patients with tumors, and patients with liver cirrhosis. Subjects underwent several tracer studies, each of which consisted of injection with unspecified amounts of Tc^99m microaggregates of albumin. Gamma camera images were then obtained to compare uptakes in the normal versus abnormal liver and in the liver versus heart.

A related study investigated the usefulness of Tc^99m albumin microaggregates for measuring the protein-digesting capability of the normal versus the diseased liver. Seventy-one studies were conducted on 47 patients with various liver and reticuloendothelial system disorders. Twelve hospital patients and one healthy volunteer with no known liver or infectious disorders were considered as the comparison group.

This study showed that diseased patients exhibited a more rapid excretion of Tc^99m-albumin via the biliary pathway and greater amounts of albumin degradation products in the intestines than comparison subjects. These studies were supported by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.References

Kitani, K., G.V. Taplin, M. Hayes, and D.E. Johnson. AVisualizing Biliary Excretion of Tc^99m-Albumin Degradation Products (A Test of Kupffer Cells Digestive Function?@Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Annual Progress Report. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-12-815, June 1971, pp. 111B113.

Yamada, H., P. Ramanathan, and G.V. Taplin. AMagnacamera Studies of the Liver=s Dual Circulation.@Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Annual Progress Report. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-12-782, June 1970, pp. 109B110.  "

UCLA-20. Studies of Hip Socket Vascularity Using Technetium-99mBSulfur Colloid

IN 1971 AND 1972, researchers at the Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology of the University of California, Los Angeles conducted studies using technetium-99m (Tc^99m) sulfur colloid. The purpose of these studies was to gain information about the blood supply to the hip socket for use in treating hip diseases and fractures.

Subjects for these studies were an unspecified number of hospital patients with normal hips and patients with hip disease. Technetium-99m sulfur colloid was administered intravenously and the pelvis was studied by gamma photoscan techniques. Scans were then correlated with pelvic x­rays for each patient.

These studies showed that uptake of Tc^99m sulfur colloid occurred symetrically in both hip sockets of patients with no known hip disease and that uptake was asymmetric in patients with hip disease.These studies were supported by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.

References

Webber, M.M., and M. Cragin. ADemonstration of Vascularity of the Femoral Head Using Technetium Sulfur Colloid.@Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Annual Progress Report. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-12-815, June 1971, pp. 124B125

Webber, M.M., and M. Cragin. ADemonstration of Vascularity of the Femoral Head.@Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Annual Progress Report. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-12-858, June 1972, pp. 67B68.  "

UCLA-21. Test of Lung Scans in Normal Subjects Using Technetium-99m, Indium-113m, and Xenon­133

DURING THE PERIOD 1972 to 1973 , researchers at the Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology of the University of California at Los Angeles conducted studies to learn more about abnormal lung scans from subjects with normal lung function. The study group consisted of 46 nonsmoking volunteers, aged 21 to 34 years, without history of asthma, emphysema, or other lung disease.

The subjects were administered an unstated amount of albumin macroaggregates labeled with technetium-99m (Tc^99m), either by inhalation or intravenous injection and were then given a chest image using a rectilinear scanner. The subjects also received pulmonary standard function tests. Thirteen percent of the scans indicated various perfusion defects such as pulmonary emboli, which were not present. It was concluded that these apparent anomalies could not be related to any pathologic origin.

In a later study, normal volunteer subjects and patients with suspected chronic bronchitis with normal results after pulmonary function testing were selected for gamma camera lung imaging using Tc^99m-albumin macroaggregates and albumin labeled with indium-113m (In^113m). In selected cases, the lung closing volumes were also measured with a xenon-133 (Xe¹³³) inhalation test. The number of subjects and amounts of radioisotope administered during these tests were not stated. This study showed a relation between abnormality of closing volume and the degree of unevenness of the inhalation scan, and indicated that the chest scan provided a more useful diagnostic tool than routine pulmonary function tests. These studies were supported by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.

References

Taplin, G.V., and H. Morinari. Use of Inhalation Aerosol Scan for Early Detection of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology, UCLA-12-919, June 1973, p. 59.

Webber, M.M., L.H. Resnick, B. Fouad, and W.K. Victery. AVariants of the Normal Lung Scan: Correlation with Pulmonary Function Tests.@Journal of Nuclear Medicine. Vol. 13, 1972, p. 476.

Webber, M.M., W.K. Victery, L. Resnick, and B. Fouad. Appearance of the Lung Scan in Normal Individuals. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology, UCLA-12-858, June 30, 1972, pp. 73B74.

Webber, M.M., W.K. Victery, L. Resnick, and B. Fouad. AVariants of the Normal Lung Scan: Correlation With Pulmonary Function Tests.@Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology, UCLA-12-919, June 1973, p. 66.  "

UCLA-22. Study of Cranial Development Defects Using Fluorine-18

A STUDY IN 1973 was conducted at the Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology of the University of California, Los Angeles to determine the usefulness of fluorine-18 (F¹⁸) in the study of cranial closure development in small children. Since x­ray and other clinical examinations can fail to detect the premature closing of the cranium in children, it was thought that cranial imaging with F¹⁸ might provide a more effective diagnostic tool for early detection.

Subjects included 15 children with abnormal skulls, ages newborn to 4 years, and 7 children with normal skull development, ages 7 weeks to 16 years. Each subject was administered an unstated amount of F¹⁸ and then imaged in the nuclear medicine clinic.

The study provided an explanation for mechanisms involved in the premature closing of the cranium. This study was supported by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.

References

Gates, G.F., and E.K. Dore. ADetection of Premature Craniocynostosis with F¹⁸.@Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Semiannual Progress Report. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-12-919, June 1973, p. 63.  "

UCLA-23. Study of Heart Chamber and Pulmonary Dilution Curves in Normal Subjects and Patients with Shunts Using Xenon-133 and Technetium-99m

A 1973 STUDY conducted by researchers at the Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology of the University of California, Los Angeles compared heart chamber dilution curves and dilution curves for blood vessels in the lungs in the diagnosis of congenital heart disease.

Thirteen normal patients (i.e., patients without heart disorders) and 33 patients with cardiac shunts were included in the study. The normal subjects ranged in age from 2 to 40 years and the patients with heart disease from 3 months to 48 years.

Unstated amounts of xenon-133 (Xe¹³³) in saline and technetium-99m (Tc^99m) sulfur colloid were intravenously administered. The flow of the isotopes was followed into the heart and blood vessels of the lungs, and images were made of Xe¹³³ and Tc^99m uptake. Dilution curve measurements were also made using flow data. Differences between normal subjects and patients with shunts were observed. This study was funded by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.

References

Greenfield, L.D., and L.R. Bennett. AA Comparison of Heart Chamber Dilution Curves and Pulmonary Dilution Curves for the Diagnosis of Congenital Heart Disease.@Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology Annual Progress Report. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, UCLA-12-919, June 1973, pp. 77B78.  "