Abstract
Alterations in renal metabolism are associated with both physiological and pathophysiologic events. The existing noninvasive analytic tools including medical imaging have limited capability for investigating these processes, which potentially limits current understanding of kidney disease and the precision of its clinical diagnosis. Hyperpolarized 13C MRI is a new medical imaging modality that can capture changes in the metabolic processing of certain rapidly metabolized substrates, as well as changes in kidney function. Here we describe experimental protocols for renal metabolic [1-13C]pyruvate and functional 13C-urea imaging step-by-step. These methods and protocols are useful for investigating renal blood flow and function as well as the renal metabolic status of rodents in vivo under various experimental (patho)physiological conditions.This chapter is based upon work from the COST Action PARENCHIMA, a community-driven network funded by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) program of the European Union, which aims to improve the reproducibility and standardization of renal MRI biomarkers. This experimental protocol is complemented by two separate chapters describing the basic concept and data analysis.
Highlights
The causal link between renal blood flow (RBF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR), tubular reabsorption and oxygen/metabolic demand and the development of renal dysfunction is wellknown [1]
The general hardware requirements for renal 1H Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on mice and rats are described in the chapter by Ramos Delgado P et al “Hardware Considerations for Preclinical Magnetic Resonance of the Kidney.”
Flip angle (FA): adapt to ensure a good compromise between SNR, T1 relaxation and sufficient signal following repeated excitations
Summary
The causal link between renal blood flow (RBF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR), tubular reabsorption and oxygen/metabolic demand and the development of renal dysfunction is wellknown [1]. Diagnostic modalities able to image RBF, GFR, and the metabolic effects have long been sought for. One such method is hyperpolarized 13C MR, described in the chapter by von Morze C et al “Hyperpolarized Carbon (13C) MRI of the Kidneys: Basic Concept.”. This experimental protocol chapter is complemented by two separate chapters describing the basic concept and data analysis, which are part of this book. This chapter is part of the book Pohlmann A, Niendorf T (eds) (2020) Preclinical MRI of the Kidney—Methods and Protocols.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
