In vivo magnetic resonance imaging of glucose - initial experience

A new noninvasive, nonradioactive approach for glucose imaging using spin hyperpolarization technology and stable isotope labeling is presented. A glucose analog labeled with (13)C at all six positions increased the overall hyperpolarized imaging signal; deuteration at all seven directly bonded proton positions prolonged the spin-lattice relaxation time. High-bandwidth (13)C imaging overcame the large glucose carbon chemical shift dispersion. Hyperpolarized glucose images in the live rat showed time-dependent organ distribution patterns. At 8 s after the start of bolus injection, the inferior vena cava was demonstrated at angiographic quality. Distribution of hyperpolarized glucose in the kidneys, vasculature, and heart was demonstrated at 12 and 20 s. The heart-to-vasculature intensity ratio at 20 s suggests myocardial uptake. Cancer imaging, currently performed with (18)F-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), warrants further investigation, and glucose imaging could be useful in a vast range of clinical conditions and research fields where the radiation associated with the FDG-PET examination limits its use.