15N Hyperpolarization of Imidazole-15N2 for Magnetic Resonance pH Sensing via SABRE-SHEATH
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Updated: Mar 18, 2026

Hyperpolarized Xenon for NMR and MRI Applications
Published on: September 6, 2012
Roman V Shchepin1, Danila A Barskiy1, Aaron M Coffey1
1Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science (VUIIS), Department of Radiology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC), Vanderbilt University , Nashville, Tennessee 37232-2310, United States.
Abstract:
15N nuclear spins of imidazole-15N2 were hyperpolarized using NMR signal amplification by reversible exchange in shield enables alignment transfer to heteronuclei (SABRE-SHEATH). A 15N NMR signal enhancement of ∼2000-fold at 9.4 T is reported using parahydrogen gas (∼50% para-) and ∼0.1 M imidazole-15N2 in methanol:aqueous buffer (∼1:1). Proton binding to a 15N site of imidazole occurs at physiological pH (pKa ∼ 7.0), and the binding event changes the 15N isotropic chemical shift by ∼30 ppm. These properties are ideal for in vivo pH sensing. Additionally, imidazoles have low toxicity and are readily incorporated into a wide range of biomolecules. 15N-Imidazole SABRE-SHEATH hyperpolarization potentially enables pH sensing on scales ranging from peptide and protein molecules to living organisms.
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