Abstract #3670

Branched-chain α-keto acid decarboxylation and transamination assessment in mouse liver and kidney using hyperpolarized α-keto[1-13C]isocaproate MRS

Celine A.J. Baligand¹, Irene Marco-Rius¹, Zhen Jane Wang¹, Daniel B. Vigneron¹, John Kurhanewicz¹, and Michael Ohliger¹

¹Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, UCSF, San Francisco, CA, United States

The branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKDH) is an important regulator of branched chain amino acid (BCAA) catabolism. In several diseases including liver cirrhosis, decreased BCKDH activation results in increased BCAA breakdown through the branched-chain amino transferase (BCAT) and subsequent protein and energy deficiency. We show that both hyperpolarized Leucine and HCO3- signals can be detected in liver in vivo at 14.1 T as byproducts of [1-¹³C]KIC metabolism. This provided information on BCAT/BCKDH activities in mouse liver and kidney, consistent with literature values. Assessing the effect of BCAA supplementation on liver cirrhosis has the potential to impact patient monitoring and treatment.

This abstract and the presentation materials are available to members only; a login is required.

Join Here