The persistent localization of radioactivity in the kidney after administration of 111In-DTPA-D-Phe1-octreotide impairs the diagnostic accuracy of this radiopharmaceutical. To better understand the mechanisms responsible for the renal radioactivity levels of 111In-DTPA-D-Phe1-octreotide, the renal metabolism of this compound was compared with 111In-DTPA-L-Phe1-octreotide, where the N-terminal D-phenylalanine was replaced with L-phenylalanine to facilitate metabolism. DTPA-D-Phe1-octreotide and DTPA-L-Phe1-octreotide were synthesized by solid-phase methods. Both 111In-DTPA-conjugated octreotide analogues were prepared with radiochemical yields of over 96%, and both remained stable after a 3 h incubation in murine serum at 37 degreesC. When injected into mice, the two 111In-DTPA-conjugated octreotide analogues showed similar radioactivity elimination rates from the blood and accumulation in the kidney with about 60% injected radioactivity being excreted in the urine by 24 h postinjection. Over 85% of the radioactivity in the urine existed as intact peptides for both analogues. Despite the similar renal radioactivity levels, significant differences were observed in the radiolabeled species remaining in the kidney between the two; while 111In-DTPA-L-Phe1-octreotide was rapidly metabolized to the final radiometabolite, 111In-DTPA-L-Phe, the metabolic rate of 111In-DTPA-D-Phe1-octreotide was so slow that various intermediate radiolabeled species were observed. However, both 111In-DTPA-D-Phe and 111In-DTPA-L-Phe remained in the lysosomal compartment of the renal cells as the final radiometabolites for long periods. These findings indicated that although the metabolic stability of 111In-DTPA-D-Phe1-octreotide in the renal cells may be partially involved, the slow elimination rate of the radiometabolite derived from 111In-DTPA-D-Phe1-octreotide from the lysosomal compartment of renal cells would be predominantly attributable to the persistent renal radioactivity levels of 111In-DTPA-D-Phe1-octreotide.