Spectroscopic Imaging of Metabolites with 2D Heteronuclear Multiple Quantum Coherence in Mouse

Hirohiko Imai¹, Yuki Takayama¹, Tetsuya Matsuda¹

We demonstrate a spatially encoded 2D heteronuclear multiple quantum coherence (HMQC) spectroscopy for imaging metabolites. A standard chemical shift imaging (CSI) incorporated with 2D ¹H-¹³C HMQC preparation was implemented in a tumor-bearing mouse after sacrifice at 30min post injection of [U-¹³C]glucose. The 4D data acquisition (two spectral and two spatial dimensions) allows the identification of multiple metabolites with ¹H sensitivity and ¹³C spectral resolution, and the visualization of their distribution throughout the whole body. As the result, the increase of relative amount of lactate was observed in the brain, tumor, and inferior limb.