Purpose: In this study, we aimed to develop the 2-deoxyglucose analog, [13C6,D8]2-deoxyglucose ([13C6,D8]2DG), as a probe for hyperpolarized magnetic resonance investigations.
Materials and Methods: Spin polarization and fast dissolution of [13C6,D8]2DG were carried out using a dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization (dDNP) device. Following dissolution to a 10 mm NMR tube residing inside an NMR spectrometer, [13C6,D8]2DG was phosphorylated by yeast hexokinase (yHK). yHK shares features with hexokinase II, which is overexpressed in many human malignancies.
Results: Following 1.8-2.3 h of polarization in the dDNP polarizer, [13C6,D8]2DG was observed in a hyperpolarized state and showed 27,000-fold signal enhancement, which corresponds to 13% polarization in solution (n=5). The [13C6,D8]2DG signal was visible for 1 minute. Additionally, the phosphorylation of [13C6,D8]2DG by yHK was detected.
Conclusion: [13C6,D8]2DG and its rapid phosphorylation by yHK can be observed in a hyperpolarized state, and [13C6,D8]2DG may be a useful metabolic probe for hyperpolarized MR. Future studies will be aimed at demonstrating [13C6,D8]2DG in benign and malignant tissues and eventually in humans.
