Development and performance of a 129-GHz dynamic nuclear polarizer in an ultra-wide bore superconducting magnet

Performance and reproducibility of 13C and 15N hyperpolarization using a cryogen-free DNP polarizer

The setup, operational procedures and performance of a cryogen-free device for producing hyperpolarized contrast agents using dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization (dDNP) in a preclinical imaging center is described. The polarization was optimized using the solid-state, DNP-enhanced NMR signal to calibrate the sample position, microwave and NMR frequency and power and flip angle. The polarization of a standard formulation to yield ~ 4 mL, 60 mM 1-¹³C-pyruvic acid in an aqueous solution was quantified in five experiments to P(¹³C) = (38 ± 6) % (19 ± 1) s after dissolution. The mono-exponential time constant of the build-up of the solid-state polarization was quantified to (1032 ± 22) s. We achieved a duty cycle of 1.5 h that includes sample loading, monitoring the polarization build-up, dissolution and preparation for the next run. After injection of the contrast agent in vivo, pyruvate, pyruvate hydrate, lactate, and alanine were observed, by measuring metabolite maps. Based on this work sequence, hyperpolarized ¹⁵N urea was obtained (P(¹⁵N) = (5.6 ± 0.8) % (30 ± 3) s after dissolution).

Practical dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization

This review article intends to provide insightful advice for dissolution-dynamic nuclear polarization in the form of a practical handbook. The goal is to aid research groups to effectively perform such experiments in their own laboratories. Previous review articles on this subject have covered a large number of useful topics including instrumentation, experimentation, theory, etc. The topics to be addressed here will include tips for sample preparation and for checking sample health; a checklist to correctly diagnose system faults and perform general maintenance; the necessary mechanical requirements regarding sample dissolution; and aids for accurate, fast and reliable polarization quantification. Herein, the challenges and limitations of each stage of a typical dissolution-dynamic nuclear polarization experiment are presented, with the focus being on how to quickly and simply overcome some of the limitations often encountered in the laboratory.

Hyperpolarized 89Y-EDTMP complex as a chemical shift-based NMR sensor for pH at the physiological range

Yttrium (III) complexes are interesting due to the similarity of their chemistry with gadolinium complexes that are used as contrast agents in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy or imaging (MRI). While most of the paramagnetic Gd³⁺-based MRI contrast agents are T₁ or T₂ relaxation-based sensors such as Gd³⁺-complexes for zinc or pH detection, a number of diamagnetic Y³⁺-complexes rely on changes in the chemical shift for potential quantitative MRI in biological milieu. ⁸⁹Y, however, is a challenging nucleus to work with in conventional NMR or MRI due to its inherently low sensitivity and relatively long T₁ relaxation time. This insensitivity problem in ⁸⁹Y-based complexes can be circumvented with the use of dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) which allows for several thousand-fold enhancement of the NMR or MRI signal relative to thermal equilibrium signal. Herein, we report on the feasibility of using hyperpolarized ⁸⁹Y-complexes with phosphonated open-chain ligands, ⁸⁹Y-EDTMP and ⁸⁹Y-DTPMP, as potential chemical shift-based pH NMR sensors. Our DNP-NMR data show that hyperpolarized ⁸⁹Y-DTPMP has an apparent pK_a ~ 7.01 with a 4 ppm-wide chemical shift dispersion with the signal disappearing at pH below 6.2. On the other hand, pH titration data on hyperpolarized ⁸⁹Y-EDTMP show that it has an apparent pK_a of pH 6.7 and a 16-ppm wide chemical shift dispersion at pH 5-9 range. In comparison, the previously reported hyperpolarized pH NMR sensor ⁸⁹Y-DOTP has a pK_a of 7.64 and ~ 10-ppm wide chemical shift dispersion at pH 4-9 range. Overall, our data suggest that hyperpolarized ⁸⁹Y-EDTMP is better than hyperpolarized ⁸⁹Y-DOTP in terms of pH sensing capability at the physiological range.

Probing carbohydrate metabolism using hyperpolarized 13 C-labeled molecules

Glycolysis is a fundamental metabolic process in all organisms. Anomalies in glucose metabolism are linked to various pathological conditions. In particular, elevated aerobic glycolysis is a characteristic feature of rapidly growing cells. Glycolysis and the closely related pentose phosphate pathway can be monitored in real time by hyperpolarized 13 C-labeled metabolic substrates such as 13 C-enriched, deuterated D-glucose derivatives, [2-13 C]-D-fructose, [2-13 C] dihydroxyacetone, [1-13 C]-D-glycerate, [1-13 C]-D-glucono-δ-lactone and [1-13 C] pyruvate in healthy and diseased tissues. Elevated glycolysis in tumors (the Warburg effect) was also successfully imaged using hyperpolarized [U-13 C6 , U-2 H7 ]-D-glucose, while the size of the preexisting lactate pool can be measured by 13 C MRS and/or MRI with hyperpolarized [1-13 C]pyruvate. This review summarizes the application of various hyperpolarized 13 C-labeled metabolites to the real-time monitoring of glycolysis and related metabolic processes in normal and diseased tissues.

Effects of glassing matrix deuteration on the relaxation properties of hyperpolarized 13C spins and free radical electrons at cryogenic temperatures

Glassing matrix deuteration could be a beneficial sample preparation method for 13C dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) when large electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) width free radicals are used. However, it could yield the opposite DNP effect when samples are doped with small EPR width free radicals. Herein, we have investigated the influence of solvent deuteration on the 13C nuclear and electron relaxation that go along with the effects on 13C DNP intensities at 3.35 T and 1.2 K. For 13C DNP samples doped with trityl OX063, the 13C DNP signals decreased significantly when the protons are replaced by deuterons in glycerol:water or DMSO:water solvents. Meanwhile, the corresponding solid-state 13C T1 relaxation times of trityl OX063-doped samples generally increased upon solvent deuteration. On the other hand, 13C DNP signals improved by a factor of ∼1.5 to 2 upon solvent deuteration of samples doped with 4-oxo-TEMPO. Despite this 13C DNP increase, there were no significant differences recorded in 13C T1 values of TEMPO-doped samples with nondeuterated or fully deuterated glassing matrices. While solvent deuteration appears to have a negligible effect on the electron T1 relaxation of both free radicals, the electron T2 relaxation times of these two free radicals generally increased upon solvent deuteration. These overall results suggest that while the solid-phase 13C DNP signals are dependent upon the changes in total nuclear Zeeman heat capacity, the 13C relaxation effects are related to 2H/1H nuclear spin diffusion-assisted 13C polarization leakage in addition to the dominant paramagnetic relaxation contribution of free radical centers.

NMR Spectroscopy Unchained: Attaining the Highest Signal Enhancements in Dissolution Dynamic Nuclear Polarization

Dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) via the dissolution method is one of the most successful methods for alleviating the inherently low Boltzmann-dictated sensitivity in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. This emerging technology has already begun to positively impact chemical and metabolic research by providing the much-needed enhancement of the liquid-state NMR signals of insensitive nuclei such as ¹³C by several thousand-fold. In this Perspective, we present our viewpoints regarding the key elements needed to maximize the NMR signal enhancements in dissolution DNP, from the very core of the DNP process at cryogenic temperatures, DNP instrumental conditions, and chemical tuning in sample preparation to current developments in minimizing hyperpolarization losses during the dissolution transfer process. The optimization steps discussed herein could potentially provide important experimental and theoretical considerations in harnessing the best possible sensitivity gains in NMR spectroscopy as afforded by optimized dissolution DNP technology.

Dynamic nuclear polarization of carbonyl and methyl 13C spins of acetate using 4-oxo-TEMPO free radical

Hyperpolarization of ¹³C-enriched biomolecules via dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) has enabled real-time metabolic imaging of a variety of diseases with superb specificity and sensitivity. The source of the unprecedented liquid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic or imaging signal enhancements of >10 000-fold is the microwave-driven DNP process that occurs at a relatively high magnetic field and cryogenic temperature. Herein, we have methodically investigated the relative efficiencies of ¹³C DNP of single or double ¹³C-labeled sodium acetate with or without ²H-enrichment of the methyl group and using a 4-oxo-TEMPO free radical as the polarizing agent at 3.35 T and 1.4 K. The main finding of this work is that not all ¹³C spins in acetate are polarized with equal DNP efficiency using this relatively wide electron spin resonance linewidth free radical. In fact, the carbonyl ¹³C spins have about twice the solid-state ¹³C polarization level of methyl ¹³C spins. Deuteration of the methyl group provides a DNP signal improvement of methyl ¹³C spins on a par with that of carbonyl ¹³C spins. On the other hand, both the double ¹³C-labeled [1,2-¹³C₂] acetate and [1,2-¹³C₂, ²H₃] acetate have a relative solid-state ¹³C polarization at the level of [2-¹³C] acetate. Meanwhile, the solid-state ¹³C T₁ relaxation times at 3.35 T and 1.4 K were essentially the same for all six isotopomers of ¹³C acetate. These results suggest that the intramolecular environment of ¹³C spins plays a prominent role in determining the ¹³C DNP efficiency, while the solid phase ¹³C T₁ relaxation of these samples is dominated by the paramagnetic effect due to the relatively high concentration of free radicals.

Gadolinium based endohedral metallofullerene Gd2@C79N as a relaxation boosting agent for dissolution DNP at high fields

We show increased dynamic nuclear polarization by adding a low dosage of a S = 15/2 Gd based endohedral metallofullerene (EMF) to DNP samples. By adding 60 μM Gd₂@C₇₉N, the nuclear polarization of ¹H and ¹³C spins from 40 mM 4-oxo-TEMPO increases by approximately 40% and 50%, respectively, at 5 T and 1.2 K. Electron-electron double resonance (ELDOR) measurements show that the high spin EMF shortens the electron relaxation times and increases electron spectral diffusion leading to the increased DNP enhancement.

Enhanced Efficiency of 13C Dynamic Nuclear Polarization by Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Doping

Attainment of high NMR signal enhancements is crucial to the success of in vitro or in vivo hyperpolarized NMR or imaging (MRI) experiments. In this work, we report on the use of a superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (SPION) MRI contrast agent Feraheme (ferumoxytol) as a beneficial additive in ¹³C samples for dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP). Our DNP data at 3.35 T and 1.2 K reveal that addition of 11 mM elemental iron concentration of Feraheme in trityl OX063-doped 3 M [1-¹³C] acetate samples resulted in a substantial improvement of ¹³C DNP signal by a factor of almost 3-fold. Concomitant with the large DNP signal increase is the narrowing of the ¹³C microwave DNP spectra for samples doped with SPION. W-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy data suggest that these two prominent effects of SPION doping on ¹³C DNP can be ascribed to the shortening of trityl OX063 electron T ₁ as explained within the thermal mixing DNP model. Liquid-state ¹³C NMR signal enhancements as high as 20,000-fold for SPION-doped samples were recorded after dissolution at 9.4 T and 297 K, which is about 3 times the liquid-state NMR signal enhancement of the control sample. While the presence of SPION in hyperpolarized solution drastically reduces ¹³C T ₁, this can be mitigated by polarizing smaller aliquots of DNP samples. Moreover, we have shown that Feraheme nanoparticles (~30 nm in size) can be easily and effectively removed from the hyperpolarized liquid by simple mechanical filtration, thus one can potentially incorporate an in-line filtration for these SPIONS along the dissolution pathway of the hyperpolarizer-a significant advantage over other DNP enhancers such as the lanthanide complexes. The overall results suggest that the commercially-available and FDA-approved Feraheme is a highly efficient DNP enhancer that could be readily translated for use in clinical applications of dissolution DNP.

Assembly and performance of a 6.4 T cryogen-free dynamic nuclear polarization system

We report on the assembly and performance evaluation of a 180-GHz/6.4 T dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) system based on a cryogen-free superconducting magnet. The DNP system utilizes a variable-field superconducting magnet that can be ramped up to 9 T and equipped with cryocoolers that can cool the sample space with the DNP assembly down to 1.8 K via the Joule-Thomson effect. A homebuilt DNP probe insert with top-tuned nuclear magnetic resonance coil and microwave port was incorporated into the sample space in which the effective sample temperature is approximately 1.9 K when a 180-GHz microwave source is on during DNP operation. ¹³ C DNP of [1-¹³ C] acetate samples doped with trityl OX063 and 4-oxo-TEMPO in this system have resulted in solid-state ¹³ C polarization levels of 58 ± 3% and 18 ± 2%, respectively. The relatively high ¹³ C polarization levels achieved in this work have demonstrated that the use of a cryogen-free superconducting magnet for ¹³ C DNP is feasible and in fact, relatively efficient-a major leap to offset the high cost of liquid helium consumption in DNP experiments.

Construction and 13 C hyperpolarization efficiency of a 180 GHz dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization system

Dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) via the dissolution method has become one of the rapidly emerging techniques to alleviate the low signal sensitivity in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and imaging. In this paper, we report on the development and ¹³ C hyperpolarization efficiency of a homebuilt DNP system operating at 6.423 T and 1.4 K. The DNP hyperpolarizer system was assembled on a wide-bore superconducting magnet, equipped with a standard continuous-flow cryostat, and a 180 GHz microwave source with 120 mW power output and wide 4 GHz frequency tuning range. At 6.423 T and 1.4 K, solid-state ¹³ C polarization P levels of 64% and 31% were achieved for 3 M [1-¹³ C] sodium acetate samples in 1 : 1 v/v glycerol:water glassing matrix doped with 15 mM trityl OX063 and 40 mM 4-oxo-TEMPO, respectively. Upon dissolution, which takes about 15 s to complete, liquid-state ¹³ C NMR signal enhancements as high as 240 000-fold (P=21%) were recorded in a nearby high resolution ¹³ C NMR spectrometer at 1 T and 297 K. Considering the relatively lower cost of our homebuilt DNP system and the relative simplicity of its design, the dissolution DNP setup reported here could be feasibly adapted for in vitro or in vivo hyperpolarized ¹³ C NMR or magnetic resonance imaging at least in the pre-clinical setting. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

13C Dynamic Nuclear Polarization Using a Trimeric Gd3+ Complex as an Additive

Dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) is one of the most successful techniques that resolves the insensitivity problem in liquid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and imaging (MRI) by amplifying the signal by several thousand-fold. One way to further improve the DNP signal is the inclusion of trace amounts of lanthanides in DNP samples doped with trityl OX063 free radical as the polarizing agent. In practice, stable monomeric gadolinium complexes such as Gd-DOTA or Gd-HP-DO3A are used as beneficial additives in DNP samples, further boosting the DNP-enhanced solid-state ¹³C polarization by a factor of 2 or 3. Herein, we report on the use of a trimeric gadolinium complex as a dopant in ¹³C DNP samples to improve the ¹³C DNP signals in the solid-state at 3.35 T and 1.2 K and consequently, in the liquid-state at 9.4 T and 298 K after dissolution. Our results have shown that doping the ¹³C DNP sample with a complex which holds three Gd³⁺ ions led to an improvement of DNP-enhanced ¹³C polarization by a factor of 3.4 in the solid-state, on par with those achieved using monomeric Gd³⁺ complexes but only requires about one-fifth of the concentration. Upon dissolution, liquid-state ¹³C NMR signal enhancements close to 20 000-fold, approximately 3-fold the enhancement of the control samples, were recorded in the nearby 9.4 T high resolution NMR magnet at room temperature. Comparable reduction of ¹³C spin-lattice T₁ relaxation time was observed in the liquid-state after dissolution for both the monomeric and trimeric Gd³⁺ complexes. Moreover, W-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) data have revealed that 3-Gd doping significantly reduces the electron T₁ of the trityl OX063 free radical, but produces negligible changes in the EPR spectrum, reminiscent of the results with monomeric Gd³⁺-complex doping. Our data suggest that the trimeric Gd³⁺ complex is a highly beneficial additive in ¹³C DNP samples and that its effect on DNP efficiency can be described in the context of the thermal mixing mechanism.

Influence of 13C Isotopic Labeling Location on Dynamic Nuclear Polarization of Acetate

Dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) via the dissolution method has alleviated the insensitivity problem in liquid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy by amplifying the signals by several thousand-fold. This NMR signal amplification process emanates from the microwave-mediated transfer of high electron spin alignment to the nuclear spins at high magnetic field and cryogenic temperature. Since the interplay between the electrons and nuclei is crucial, the chemical composition of a DNP sample such as the type of free radical used, glassing solvents, or the nature of the target nuclei can significantly affect the NMR signal enhancement levels that can be attained with DNP. Herein, we have investigated the influence of ¹³C isotopic labeling location on the DNP of a model ¹³C compound, sodium acetate, at 3.35 T and 1.4 K using the narrow electron spin resonance (ESR) line width free radical trityl OX063. Our results show that the carboxyl ¹³C spins yielded about twice the polarization produced in methyl ¹³C spins. Deuteration of the methyl ¹³C group, while proven beneficial in the liquid-state, did not produce an improvement in the ¹³C polarization level at cryogenic conditions. In fact, a slight reduction of the solid-state ¹³C polarization was observed when ²H spins are present in the methyl group. Furthermore, our data reveal that there is a close correlation between the solid-state ¹³C T₁ relaxation times of these samples and the relative ¹³C polarization levels. The overall results suggest the achievable solid-state polarization of ¹³C acetate is directly affected by the location of the ¹³C isotopic labeling via the possible interplay of nuclear relaxation leakage factor and cross-talks between nuclear Zeeman reservoirs in DNP.

Dissolution DNP using trityl radicals at 7 T field

Characterization of direct ¹³C DNP at 1.4 K and 7 T field using trityl radicals.

13 C dynamic nuclear polarization using isotopically enriched 4-oxo-TEMPO free radicals

The nitroxide-based free radical 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) is a widely used polarizing agent in NMR signal amplification via dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP). In this study, we have thoroughly investigated the effects of ¹⁵ N and/or ² H isotopic labeling of 4-oxo-TEMPO free radical on ¹³ C DNP of 3 M [1-¹³ C] sodium acetate samples in 1 : 1 v/v glycerol : water at 3.35 T and 1.2 K. Four variants of this free radical were used for ¹³ C DNP: 4-oxo-TEMPO, 4-oxo-TEMPO-¹⁵ N, 4-oxo-TEMPO-d₁₆ and 4-oxo-TEMPO-¹⁵ N,d₁₆ . Our results indicate that, despite the striking differences seen in the electron spin resonance (ESR) spectral features, the ¹³ C DNP efficiency of these ¹⁵ N and/or ² H-enriched 4-oxo-TEMPO free radicals are relatively the same compared with ¹³ C DNP performance of the regular 4-oxo-TEMPO. Furthermore, when fully deuterated glassing solvents were used, the ¹³ C DNP signals of these samples all doubled in the same manner, and the ¹³ C polarization buildup was faster by a factor of 2 for all samples. The data here suggest that the hyperfine coupling contributions of these isotopically enriched 4-oxo-TEMPO free radicals have negligible effects on the ¹³ C DNP efficiency at 3.35 T and 1.2 K. These results are discussed in light of the spin temperature model of DNP. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Impact of Ho(3+)-doping on (13)C dynamic nuclear polarization using trityl OX063 free radical

We have investigated the effects of Ho-DOTA doping on the dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) of [1-(13)C] sodium acetate using trityl OX063 free radical at 3.35 T and 1.2 K. Our results indicate that addition of 2 mM Ho-DOTA on 3 M [1-(13)C] sodium acetate sample in 1 : 1 v/v glycerol : water with 15 mM trityl OX063 improves the DNP-enhanced (13)C solid-state nuclear polarization by a factor of around 2.7-fold. Similar to the Gd(3+) doping effect on (13)C DNP, the locations of the positive and negative (13)C maximum polarization peaks in the (13)C microwave DNP sweep are shifted towards each other with the addition of Ho-DOTA on the DNP sample. W-band electron spin resonance (ESR) studies have revealed that while the shape and linewidth of the trityl OX063 ESR spectrum was not affected by Ho(3+)-doping, the electron spin-lattice relaxation time T1 of trityl OX063 was prominently reduced at cryogenic temperatures. The reduction of trityl OX063 electron T1 by Ho-doping is linked to the (13)C DNP improvement in light of the thermodynamic picture of DNP. Moreover, the presence of Ho-DOTA in the dissolution liquid at room temperature has negligible reduction effect on liquid-state (13)C T1, in contrast to Gd(3+)-doping which drastically reduces the (13)C T1. The results here suggest that Ho(3+)-doping is advantageous over Gd(3+) in terms of preservation of hyperpolarized state-an important aspect to consider for in vitro and in vivo NMR or imaging (MRI) experiments where a considerable preparation time is needed to administer the hyperpolarized (13)C liquid.

Conceptual and instrumental progress in dissolution DNP

We discuss conceptual and instrumental progress in dissolution DNP since its introduction in 2003. In our view there are three critical steps in the dissolution DNP process: (i) The achievable polarization level in a sample. (ii) The time required to build up the polarization. (iii) The transfer of the sample to the measurement system with minimum loss of polarization. In this review we describe in detail these steps and the different methodological and instrumental implementations, which have been proposed to optimize them.

On the present and future of dissolution-DNP

Dissolution-DNP is a method to create solutions of molecules with nuclear spin polarization close to unity. The many orders of magnitude signal enhancement have enabled many new applications, in particular in vivo MR metabolic imaging. The method relies on solid state dynamic nuclear polarization at low temperature followed by a dissolution to produce the room temperature solution of highly polarized spins. This work describes the present and future of dissolution-DNP in the mind of the author. The article describes some of the current trends in the field as well as outlines some of the areas where new ideas will make an impact. Most certainly, the future will take unpredicted directions, but hopefully the thoughts presented here will stimulate new ideas that can further advance the field.

The effect of glassing solvent deuteration and Gd3+ doping on 13C DNP at 5 T

We report the influence of glassing solvent deuteration and Gd³⁺ doping on ¹³C dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) performed on [1-¹³C] sodium acetate at B₀ = 5 T and 1.2 K.

Studies of Metabolism Using (13)C MRS of Hyperpolarized Probes

First described in 2003, the dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) technique, combined with (13)C magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), has since been used in numerous metabolic studies and has become a valuable metabolic imaging method. DNP dramatically increases the level of polarization of (13)C-labeled compounds resulting in an increase in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of over 50,000 fold for the MRS spectrum of hyperpolarized compounds. The high SNR enables rapid real-time detection of metabolism in cells, tissues, and in vivo. This chapter will present a comprehensive review of the DNP approaches that have been used to monitor metabolism in living systems. First, the list of (13)C DNP probes developed to date will be presented, with a particular focus on the most commonly used probe, namely [1-(13)C] pyruvate. In the next four sections, we will then describe the different factors that need to be considered when designing (13)C DNP probes for metabolic studies, conducting in vitro or in vivo hyperpolarized experiments, as well as acquiring, analyzing, and modeling hyperpolarized (13)C data.

Hyperpolarized (13)C Magnetic Resonance and Its Use in Metabolic Assessment of Cultured Cells and Perfused Organs

Diseased tissue is often characterized by abnormalities in intermediary metabolism. Observing these alterations in situ may lead to an improved understanding of pathological processes and novel ways to monitor these processes noninvasively in human patients. Although (13)C is a stable isotope safe for use in animal models of disease as well as human subjects, its utility as a metabolic tracer has largely been limited to ex vivo analyses employing analytical techniques like mass spectrometry or nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Neither of these techniques is suitable for noninvasive metabolic monitoring, and the low abundance and poor gyromagnetic ratio of conventional (13)C make it a poor nucleus for imaging. However, the recent advent of hyperpolarization methods, particularly dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP), makes it possible to enhance the spin polarization state of (13)C by many orders of magnitude, resulting in a temporary amplification of the signal sufficient for monitoring kinetics of enzyme-catalyzed reactions in living tissue through magnetic resonance spectroscopy or magnetic resonance imaging. Here, we review DNP techniques to monitor metabolism in cultured cells, perfused hearts, and perfused livers, focusing on our experiences with hyperpolarized [1-(13)C]pyruvate. We present detailed approaches to optimize the DNP procedure, streamline biological sample preparation, and maximize detection of specific metabolic activities. We also discuss practical aspects in the choice of metabolic substrates for hyperpolarization studies and outline some of the current technical and conceptual challenges in the field, including efforts to use hyperpolarization to quantify metabolic rates in vivo.

Hyperpolarized magnetic resonance as a sensitive detector of metabolic function

Hyperpolarized magnetic resonance allows for noninvasive measurements of biochemical reactions in vivo. Although this technique provides a unique tool for assaying enzymatic activities in intact organs, the scope of its application is still elusive for the wider scientific community. The purpose of this review is to provide key principles and parameters to guide the researcher interested in adopting this technology to address a biochemical, biomedical, or medical issue. It is presented in the form of a compendium containing the underlying essential physical concepts as well as suggestions to help assess the potential of the technique within the framework of specific research environments. Explicit examples are used to illustrate the power as well as the limitations of hyperpolarized magnetic resonance.