Renal handling of technetium-99m DMSA: evidence for glomerular filtration and peritubular uptake

The finding of an enhanced excretion of [99mTc]dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) in patients with tubular reabsorption disorders prompted us to investigate the role of filtration in the renal handling of [99mTc]DMSA. Our studies in human serum indicated that binding to serum proteins was approximately 90%. Chromatography of human urine and studies in rats showed that the complex was excreted unaltered into the urine. Renal extraction of [99mTc]DMSA in a human volunteer was 5.8%. Continuous infusion of [99mTc]DMSA in 13 individuals with normal renal function gave the following results (mean +/- s.d.): plasma clearance of [99mTc]DMSA 34 +/- 4 ml/min, urinary clearance of [99mTc]DMSA 12 +/- 3 ml/min. The calculated filtered load of [99mTc]DMSA closely resembled the urinary clearance, whereas the plasma clearance was about three times faster. This indicates that peritubular uptake accounts for approximately 65% and filtration for approximately 35% of the renal handling of [99mTc]DMSA.