Mechanism of Uptake

The uptake, retention, and subcellular distribution of Tc-99m-tetrofosmin have been examined in vitro with the use of isolated rat ventricular myocytes and rat heart homogenates.⁷ Uptake into isolated myocytes occurred within 30 seconds, reached a maximum at 60 minutes post-incubation, and was subject to suppression by general metabolic inhibitors (ie, deoxyglucose) or 2,4-dinitrophenol (an inhibitor of mitochondrial metabolism). The distribution of Tc-99m-tetrofosmin in rat heart homogenates was similar to that of malate dehydrogenase, a com- ponent of the mitochondrial matrix. Mitochondrial membrane potential appears to have a significant role in the uptake and/ or retention of Tc-99m-tetrofosmin.⁷

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