Molecular Correlates to in vivo Hyperpolarized [1-13C] Dehydroascorbate Reduction

Victor Sai¹, Kayvan R. Keshari¹, Romelyn Delos Santos¹, John Kurhanewicz¹, David M. Wilson¹

In Vivo MRSI studies using HP [1-13C] dehydroascorbate (DHA) in a transgenic model of prostate cancer (TRAMP) show rapid uptake of DHA and reduction to Vitamin C. We hypothesized that this is secondary to increased uptake via GLUT-type transporters and elevated intracellular glutathione levels. Gene expression analysis demonstrated elevated GLUT3 but decreased GLUT1 expression. Thioredoxin reductase was also found to be elevated. Intracellular glutathione levels were increased in TRAMP tumor relative to normal prostate, and mercury orange staining for non-protein thiols was also increased in TRAMP tumor compared to normal control.