Measuring the Spin-Lattice Relaxation Magnetic Field Dependence of Hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate

Summary

We present a protocol to measure the magnetic field dependence of the spin-lattice relaxation time of ¹³C-enriched compounds, hyperpolarized by means of dynamic nuclear polarization, using fast field-cycled relaxometry. Specifically, we have demonstrated this with [1-¹³C]pyruvate, but the protocol could be extended to other hyperpolarized substrates.

Abstract

The fundamental limit to in vivo imaging applications of hyperpolarized ¹³C-enriched compounds is their finite spin-lattice relaxation times. Various factors affect the relaxation rates, such as buffer composition, solution pH, temperature, and magnetic field. In this last regard, the spin-lattice relaxation time can be measured at clinical field strengths, but at lower fields, where these compounds are dispensed from the polarizer and transported to the MRI, the relaxation is even faster and difficult to measure. To have a better understanding of the amount of magnetization lost during transport, we used fast field-cycling relaxometry, with magnetic resonance detection of ¹³C nuclei at ~0.75 T, to measure the nuclear magnetic resonance dispersion of the spin-lattice relaxation time of hyperpolarized [1-¹³C]pyruvate. Dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization was used to produce hyperpolarized samples of pyruvate at a concentration of 80 mmol/L and physiological pH (~7.8). These solutions were rapidly transferred to a fast field-cycling relaxometer so that relaxation of the sample magnetization could be measured as a function of time using a calibrated small flip angle (3°-5°). To map the T₁ dispersion of the C-1 of pyruvate, we recorded data for different relaxation fields ranging between 0.237 mT and 0.705 T. With this information, we determined an empirical equation to estimate the spin-lattice relaxation of the hyperpolarized substrate within the mentioned range of magnetic fields. These results can be used to predict the amount of magnetization lost during transport and to improve experimental designs to minimize signal loss.

Introduction

Magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) can produce spatial maps of metabolites detected by spectroscopic imaging, but its practical use is often limited by its relatively low sensitivity. This low sensitivity of in vivo magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy methods stems from the small degree of nuclear magnetization achievable at body temperatures and reasonable magnetic field strengths. However, this limitation can be overcome by the use of dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) to greatly enhance the in vitro magnetization of liquid substrates, which are subsequently injected to probe in vivo metabolism using MRSI^1,

Protocol

1. Sample Preparation

NOTE: Steps 1.1-1.8 are performed just once

1. Prepare 1 mL of stock ¹³C-enriched pyruvic acid solution, widely used for in vivo research^1,2,5,6, consisting of 15-mmol/L of triarylmethyl radical dissolved in [1-¹³C]pyruvic acid (see Table of Materials). Aliquots from this stock solution will be used for the samples that will be individually polarized and subsequently undergo relaxometry at different magnetic fields. A representation of ....

Results

Figure 2 presents an example of a high-resolution full-range microwave sweep for pyruvic acid. For the presented case, that optimal microwave frequency corresponds to 94.128 GHz, highlighted in the figure insert. Our DNP system can normally work in the range of 93.750 GHz to 94.241 GHz with step size of 1 MHz, polarization time of up to 600 s, and power of up to 100 mW. A full range of frequencies is investigated only for novel substrates. However, based on previous experience with ¹³

Discussion

The use of DNP to enhance signal acquisition is a technical solution to insufficient magnetic resonance signal available from ¹³C nuclei at limited concentrations, as those used in animal injections, but presents other experimental challenges. Each relaxation measurement shown in Figure 7 represents a measurement of a uniquely prepared sample because it cannot be repolarized after dissolution for remeasurement. This inevitably leads to experimental variability due to minor differe.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
[1-13C]Pyruvic Acid	Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA	677175
10mm NMR Tube	Norell, Inc., Morganton NC, USA	1001-8
De-ionized water
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt dihydrate (EDTA)	Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA	E5134
HyperSense Dynamic Nuclear Polarizer	Oxford Instruments, Abingdon, UK		Includes the following: "DNP-NMR Polarizer" software used to control and monitor the whole DNP polarizer; "RINMR" used to monitor the solid state polarization levels; "HyperTerminal" used to communicate the DNP software with the RINMR software that monitors the solid state polarization level. Also includes the MQC bench top spectrometer to monitor the liquid state polarization in conjunction with it own RINMR software
MATLAB R2017b	MathWorks, Natick, MA		Include scripts for non-linear fitting of magnetization decay over time and T1 NMRD analysis of hyperpolarized pyruvic acid.
OX063 Triarylmethyl radical	Oxford Instruments, Abingdon, UK
pH meter - SympHony	VWR International, Mississauga, ON., Canada	SB70P
ProHance	Bracco Diagnostics Inc.		Gadoteridol, Gd-HP-DO3A
Pure Ethanol (100% pure)	Commercial Alcohols, Toronto, ON, Canada	P016EAAN
Shim Coil			Developed in-house
Sodium Chloride	Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA	S7653
Sodium Hydroxide	Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA	S8045
SpinMaster FFC2000 1T C/DC	Stelar s.r.l., Mede (PV) Italy		Includes the software "AcqNMR" that is used to set experimental parameters, monitor the tuning and matching of the RF coil, loading different pulse sequences, calibrate flip angle, data acquisition and curve fitting, among other functions. Also includes a depth gauge, some weights and a depth stopper.
Trizma Pre-Set Crystals (pH 7.6)	Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA	T7943