Abstract: | The present invention is directed to novel radiopharmaceutical imaging agents incorporating Tc-99m as a radiolabel. In particular, the novel imaging agents disclosed herein have relatively high renal extraction efficiencies, and hence are useful for conducting renal function imaging procedures. The novel Tc-99m compounds of a present invention have the following general formula: ##STR1## wherein X is S or N; and wherein Y is H or wherein Y is ##STR2## and where R.sub.1 is --H, --CH.sub.3, or --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3 ; R.sub.2 is --H, --CH.sub.2 CO.sub.2 H, --CH.sub.2 CONH.sub.2, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CO.sub.2 H, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CONH.sub.2, --CH.sub.3, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3, CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5, or --CH.sub.2 OH; and Z is --H, --CO.sub.2 H, --CONH.sub.2, --SO.sub.3 H, --SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2, or --CONHCH.sub.2 CO.sub.2 H; and the Tc is Tc-99m; and water-soluble salts thereof. Of the foregoing, the presently preferred Tc-99m compound of the present invention is Tc-99m-mercaptoacetylglycylglycylglycine (Tc-99m-MAGGG). The present invention is also directed to novel chelating agents that may be reacted with Tc-99m to form the foregoing compounds. Such novel chelating agents have the following general formula. ##STR3## where X and Y have the same definitions as above, and wherein Y' is --H.sub.2 when X is N, or wherein Y' is --H, or a suitable protective group such as --COCH.sub.3, --COC.sub.6 H.sub.5, --CH.sub.2 NHCOCH.sub.3, --COCF.sub.3, or --COCH.sub.2 OH when X is S. The present invention also provides methods for preparing and using the novel Tc-99m compounds. |