Simultaneous Recording of the Uptake and Conversion of Glucose and Choline in Tumors by Deuterium Metabolic Imaging

Increased glucose and choline uptake are hallmarks of cancer. We investigated whether the conversion [2H9]choline alone together with that [6,6?-2H2]glucose can be assessed in tumors via deuterium metabolic imaging (DMI) after administering these compounds. Therefore, human renal carcinoma cells were grown subcutaneously mice. Isoflurane anesthetized mice IV infused MR magnet for ~20 s ~0.2 mL solutions containing either (0.05 g/kg) or (1.3 g/kg). 2H was performed on a 11.7T system home-built 2H/1H coil using 90° excitation pulse 400 ms repetition time. 3D DMI recorded at high resolution (2 × 2 mm) 37 min low (3.7 3.7 2:24 min. Absolute tissue concentrations calculated assuming natural deuterated water [HOD] = 13.7 mM. Within 5 infusion, its signal appeared tumor spectra representing concentration increase to 0.3–1.2 mM, which then slowly decreased remained constant over 100 In plasma, disappeared within 15 post-infusion, implying arises from not blood. After infusing mixture [6,6?-2H2]glucose, their signals observed separately spectra. Over time, broadened, possibly due other compounds, [[6,6?-2H2]glucose] declined, increased lactate appeared, reflecting glycolysis. Metabolic maps reconstructed DMIs, showed spatial accumulation. As infusion is feasible patients, simultaneous detection has clinical potential characterization.