Niki Zacharias1,2, Napapon Sailasuta3,
Henry Chan3, Meng Wei3, Robert W. Grubbs1,
Brian D. Ross3, Pratip Bhattacharya3
1California Institute of
Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States; 2Enhanced Magnetic
Resonance Laboratory, Huntington Medical Research Institutes, Pasadena, CA,
United States; 3Enhanced Megnetic Resonance Laboratory, Huntington
Medical Research Institutes
All the molecules we have hyperpolarized using parahydrogen induced polarization (PHIP) and have employed for rodent in vivo applications have physiological barriers for clinical utility. We have recently hyperpolarized diethyl succinate using PHIP. Using tail vein injections of hyperpolarized diethyl-3-13C-4,5-d2-succinate in mice, we have been able to achieve ultrafast 13C MRI, MRS, and successfully interrogate the TCA cycle in real time. Diethyl succinate is quickly taken up by cells, is water soluble, can be hyperpolarized at neutral pH, and is known to be nontoxic. Its a good candidate for future in vivo metabolic imaging in humans.
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