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Colonic transit scintigraphy labeled activated charcoal compared with ion exchange pellets
D D Burton1, M Camilleri, B P Mullan
1Section of Nuclear Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
Summary
Activated charcoal offers a viable alternative for scintigraphic colonic transit measurement, eliminating the need for investigational drug permits. This radioactive marker demonstrated comparable transit profiles to traditional resin pellets in healthy volunteers.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Radiopharmacology
Background:
- Scintigraphic colonic transit measurement traditionally uses 111In-labeled resin pellets.
- Current methods require an investigational drug permit, limiting accessibility.
- Previous in vitro studies showed optimal radioisotope adsorption to activated charcoal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the colonic transit profiles of radioactive activated charcoal and resin pellets.
- To evaluate activated charcoal as a potential alternative marker for scintigraphy.
Main Methods:
- 10 healthy volunteers participated in the study.
- Simultaneous administration of 111In-labeled resin pellets and 99mTc-labeled activated charcoal in methacrylate-coated capsules.
- Colonic transit was assessed over 32 hours using scintigraphy, measuring geometric center.
Main Results:
- Colonic transit profiles for activated charcoal and resin pellets were virtually identical.
- Differences in geometric center between the two markers were less than 0.1 units over 32 hours.
Conclusions:
- Activated charcoal is a suitable alternative to resin pellets for scintigraphic colonic transit measurement.
- Methacrylate-coated, delayed-release capsules are effective delivery systems for activated charcoal.
- This finding simplifies and potentially broadens the application of colonic transit scintigraphy.