Abstract #3533

Improving Estimation of Intracellular Hyperpolarized 1-13C-Pyruvate Kinetics by Co-Injection of Gadolinium Contrast Agent

Matthew Smith¹, Eric Peterson², Jeremy Gordon¹, Kang Wang¹, Ian Rowland³, Sean Fain^1,3

¹Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States; ²Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States; ³Radiology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States

Hyperpolarized ¹³C-labeled pyruvate studies with MR have been used to observe the dynamic ¹³C label transfer to other metabolites. In this work, we first investigate the limitations of kinetic modeling of the in-vivo ¹³C label transfer using a widely used two-site exchange model and demonstrate a novel technique to provide contrast to the intracellular compartment by injecting a Gd-chelate following the injection of HP ¹³C-pyruvate to provide T1-shortening to non-intracellular compartments. We also provide a kinetic model that distinguishes the intracellular space by utilizing this contrast.