Hyla Allouche-Arnon1, 2, Trevor Wade3, Rachel Katz-Brull1, 2, Lanette Friesen Waldner3, Valentina N. Miller1, J. Moshe Gomori1, Charles A. McKenzie3
1Radiology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel; 2BrainWatch Ltd., Tel-Aviv, Israel; 3Medical Biophysics, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
A new noninvasive approach for glucose imaging using spin hyperpolarization technology and stable isotope labeling is presented. A glucose analog fully labeled with 13C and directly bonded deuterons, was intravenously injected to rats. Hyperpolarized glucose images in the live rat showed time-dependent organ distribution patterns. At 8 s, during bolus injection, the inferior vena cava was demonstrated at angiographic quality. Distribution of hyperpolarized glucose in the kidneys, vasculature, and heart was demonstrated at 12- and 20 s. The heart-to-vasculature intensity ratio at 20 s suggests myocardial uptake.