• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2017

Purpose: To investigate the exchange and redistribution of hyperpolarized $^{13}C$ metabolites between different pools by temporally analyzing the relative fraction of dual $T_2{^*}$ components of hyperpolarized $^{13}C$ metabolites. Materials and Methods: A dual exponential decay analysis of $T_2{^*}$ is performed for [1-$^{13}C$] pyruvate and [1-$^{13}C$] lactate using nonspatially resolved dynamic $^{13}C$ MR spectroscopy from mice brains with tumors (n = 3) and without (n = 4) tumors. The values of shorter and longer $T_2{^*}$ components are explored when fitted from averaged spectrum and temporal variations of their fractions. Results: The $T_2{^*}$ values were not significantly different between the tumor and control groups, but the fraction of longer $T_2{^*}$ [1-$^{13}C$] lactate components was more than 10% in the tumor group over that of the controls (P < 0.1). The fraction of shorter $T_2{^*}$ components of [1-$^{13}C$] pyruvate showed an increasing tendency while that of the [1-$^{13}C$] lactate was decreasing over time. The slopes of the changing fraction were steeper for the tumor group than the controls, especially for lactate (P < 0.01). In both pyruvate and lactate, the fraction of the shorter $T_2{^*}$ component was always greater than the longer $T_2{^*}$ component over time. Conclusion: The exchange and redistribution of pyruvate and lactate between different pools was investigated by dual component analysis of the free induction decay signal from hyperpolarized $^{13}C$ experiments. Tumor and control groups showed differences in their fractions rather than the values of longer and shorter $T_2{^*}$ components. Fraction changing dynamics may provide an aspect for extravasation and membrane transport of pyruvate and lactate, and will be useful to determine the appropriate time window for acquisition of hyperpolarized $^{13}C$ images.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.125-134
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• 2022

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the change in signal sensitivity over different acquisition start times and optimize the scanning window to provide the maximal signal sensitivity of [1-¹³C]pyruvate and its metabolic products, lactate and alanine, using spatially localized hyperpolarized 3D ¹³C magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI). Materials and Methods: We acquired 3D ¹³C MRSI data from the brain (n = 3), kidney (n = 3), and liver (n = 3) of rats using a 3T clinical scanner and a custom RF coil after the injection of hyperpolarized [1-¹³C]pyruvate. For each organ, we obtained three consecutive 3D ¹³C MRSI datasets with different acquisition start times per animal from a total of three animals. The mean signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) of pyruvate, lactate, and alanine were calculated and compared between different acquisition start times. Based on the SNRs of lactate and alanine, we identified the optimal acquisition start timing for each organ. Results: For the brain, the acquisition start time of 18 s provided the highest mean SNR of lactate. At 18 s, however, the lactate signal predominantly originated from not the brain, but the blood vessels; therefore, the acquisition start time of 22 s was recommended for 3D ¹³C MRSI of the rat brain. For the kidney, all three metabolites demonstrated the highest mean SNR at the acquisition start time of 32 s. Similarly, the acquisition start time of 22 s provided the highest SNRs for all three metabolites in the liver. Conclusion: In this study, the acquisition start timing was optimized in an attempt to maximize metabolic signals in hyperpolarized 3D ¹³C MRSI examination with [1-¹³C] pyruvate as a substrate. We investigated the changes in metabolic signal sensitivity in the brain, kidney, and liver of rats to establish the optimal acquisition start time for each organ. We expect the results from this study to be of help in future studies.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.459-472
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• 2024

Hyperpolarized (HP) carbon-13 (¹³C) MRI represents an innovative approach for noninvasive, real-time assessment of dynamic metabolic flux, with potential integration into routine clinical MRI. The use of [1-¹³C]pyruvate as a probe and its conversion to [1-¹³C]lactate constitute an extensively explored metabolic pathway. This review comprehensively outlines the establishment of HP ¹³C-MRI, covering multidisciplinary team collaboration, hardware prerequisites, probe preparation, hyperpolarization techniques, imaging acquisition, and data analysis. This article discusses the clinical applications of HP ¹³C-MRI across various anatomical domains, including the brain, heart, skeletal muscle, breast, liver, kidney, pancreas, and prostate. Each section highlights the specific applications and findings pertinent to these regions, emphasizing the potential versatility of HP ¹³C-MRI in diverse clinical contexts. This review serves as a comprehensive update, bridging technical aspects with clinical applications and offering insights into the ongoing advancements in HP ¹³C-MRI.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.53-60
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• 2016

Purpose: To develop a technique for quantifying the $^{13}C$-metabolites by performing frequency-selective hyperpolarized $^{13}C$ magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in vitro which combines simple spectrally-selective excitation with spectrally interleaved acquisition. Methods: Numerical simulations were performed with varying noise level and $K_p$ values to compare the quantification accuracies of the proposed and the conventional methods. For in vitro experiments, a spectrally-selective excitation scheme was enabled by narrow-band radiofrequency (RF) excitation pulse implemented into a free-induction decay chemical shift imaging (FIDCSI) sequence. Experiments with LDH / NADH enzyme mixture were performed to validate the effectiveness of the proposed acquisition method. Also, a modified two-site exchange model was formulated for metabolism kinetics quantification with the proposed method. Results: From the simulation results, significant increase of the lactate peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR) was observed. Also, the quantified $K_p$ value from the dynamic curves were more accurate in the case of the proposed acquisition method compared to the conventional non-selective excitation scheme. In vitro experiment results were in good agreement with the simulation results, also displaying increased PSNR for lactate. Fitting results using the modified two-site exchange model also showed expected results in agreement with the simulations. Conclusion: A method for accurate quantification of hyperpolarized pyruvate and the downstream product focused on in vitro experiment was described. By using a narrow-band RF excitation pulse with alternating acquisition, different resonances were selectively excited with a different flip angle for increased PSNR while the hyperpolarized magnetization of the substrate can be minimally perturbed with a low flip angle. Baseline signals from neighboring resonances can be effectively suppressed to accurately quantify the metabolism kinetics.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 1967

The metabolic patterns of C-1 and C-6-carbon atoms of glucose were observed in the tissue homogenates of the Ehrlich ascites tumor tissue which was incubated for 3 hours in the Dubnuff metabolic shaking incubator. $C^{14}-1-and\;C^{14}-6-glucose$ were used as tracers. The glucose media in which tissue homogenate was incubated was kept at a concentration of 200mg% glucose of carrier and appropriate amount of $C^{14}-1-or\;C^{14}-6-tracer$. At the end of 3 hour incubation, respiratory $CO_2$ samples trapped by alkaline which is placed in the tenter well of incubation flask were analyzed for the total $CO_2$ production rates and their radioactivities. The tissue homogenate samples after incubation were analyzed for their concentrations of glucose, lactate, pyruvate and glycogen and calculations were made on the glucose consumption rate, pyruvate and lactate accumulation rates. The following results were obtained. Data obtained in each group are as follows: 1. In the tissue homogenate, which was incubated with $C^{14}-1-glucose as a substrate, total $CO_2$ production rate averaged $19.0{\pm}5.0{\mu}M/hr/gm$ and the mean specific activity of respiratory $CO_2$ was $840{\pm}296\;cpm/mgC.$ Relative specific activity (RSA) which means the fraction of $CO_2$ derived from medium $C^{14}-1-glucose$ to total $CO_2$ production rate was calculated by ratio of SA of respiratory $CO_2$ and medium $C^{14}-1-glucose.$ RSA was $14.3{\pm}5.0%,$ Accordingly actual $CO_2$ production rate from medium $C^{14}-1-glucose$ showed a mean value of $2.79{\pm}1.35\;{\mu}m$ of which amount was equivalent to the mean value of total glucose consumption rate $(RGDco_2)$, namely, $5.1{\pm}1.3%.$ Lactate and pyruvate appearance rates averaged $7.13{\pm}1.26\;and\;0.21{\pm}0.02{\mu}M/hr/gm,$ respectively. Assuming that these 3 carbon compounds appeared in the medium were derived from glucose, calculations were made that relative glucose disappearance rate into lactate $(RGD_L)$ was $38.0{\pm}5.4%\;and\;RGD_P$ was $1.23{\pm}0.03%.$ Therefore, about 43.3% of the total glucose consumed were accounted for by conversion into the respiratory $CO_2$, lactate and pyruvate. 2. In the second group, which was incubated with $C^{14}-1-glucose$ as a substrate, glucose consumption rate, lactate and pyruvate appearance rates showed almost the same order as the values of the $C^{14}-1-glucose$ substrate group. However, RSA was remarkably decreased showing a mean value of $1.02{\pm}0.13%.$ This fact means that the C-6 carbon of glucose take the minor part in the oxidative metabolism of glucose. The glycogen level in both substrate tissue homogenate showed less than 0.3% of tissue weight. These low value suggested that there was an inhibition of carbohydrate synthesis in the Ehrlich ascites tumor tissue. 3. The catabolic pathway of glucose in the tumor tissue were analyzed on the basis of Bloom's principle from the values of RSA. It was found that in the tumor tissue more than 90% of $CO_2$ derived from glucose were oxidized via the alternate pathway other than principal EMP-TCA cycle such as hexose monophosphate pathway (HMP). From the data described above, it was assumed that in the Ehrlich tumor tissue anaerobic glycolysis proceeds normally although, the oxidation of products of anaerobic glycolysis via the TCA cycle is inhibited resulting in the accumulation of lactate and almost all of oxidative energy from glucose is released by oxidative pathway such as HMP.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.628-631
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• 2003

The recombinant alanine dehydrogenase (ADH) from E. coli containing Thermus caldophilus ADH was purified to homogeneity from a cell-free extract. The enzyme was purified 38-fold with a yield of 68% from the starting cell-free extract. The purified enzyme gave a single band in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and its molecular weight was estimated to be 45 kDa. The pH optimum was 8.0 for reductive amination of pyruvate and 12.0 for oxidative deamination of L-alanine. The enzyme was stable up to $70^{\circ}C$. The activity of the enzyme was inhibited by 1 mM $Zn^{2+}$, 20% hexane, and 20% $CHCl_3$. However, 10 mM $Mg^{2+}$ and 40% propanol had no effect on the enzyme activity. The Michaelis constants ($K_m$) for the substrates were $50\;\mu\textrm{M}$ for NADH, 0.2 mM for pyruvate, 39.4 mM for $NH_4+$, 2.6 mM for L-alanine, and 1.8 mM for $NAD^+$.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.260-268
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• 2010

The lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27, LDH) isozymes in tissues from Channa argus were purified and characterized by biochemical, immunochemical and kinetic methods. The activity of LDH in skeletal muscle was the highest at 380.4 units and those in heart, eye and brain tissues were 13.4, 3,5 and 5.4 units, respectively. Citrate synthase (EC 4.1.3.7, CS) activity in heart tissue was the highest at 20.7 units. LDH/CS in skeletal muscle, heart, eye and brain tissues were 172.9, 0.6, 0.32 and 0.47. Protein concentration in skeletal muscle tissue was 14.7 mg/g and specific activities of LDH in skeletal muscle, heart, eye and brain tissues were 25.88, 0.79, 0.31 and 1.38 units/mg, respectively. Therefore, skeletal muscle tissue was anaerobic and heart tissue was aerobic. The LDH isozymes in tissues were identified by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, immunoprecipitation and Western blot with antiserum against $A_4$, $B_4$, and eye-specific $C_4$. LDH $A_4$, $A_3B$, $A_2B_2$. $AB_3$ and $B_4$ isozymes were detected in every tissue, $C_4$, $AC_3$, $A_2C_2$ and $A_3C$ were detected in eye tissue, and $A_3C$ was found in brain tissue. LDH $A_4$, $A_3B$, $A_2B_2$, $AB_3$, $B_4$, eye-specific $C_4$ isozymes were purified by affinity chromatography and Preparative PAGE Cells. The LDH $A_4$ isozyme was purified in the fraction from elution with $NAD^+$ containing buffer of affinity chromatography. Eye-specific $C_4$ isozyme was eluted right after $A_4$, after which $B_4$ isozyme was eluted with plain buffer. As a result, one part of molecular structures in $A_4$, $B_4$ and eye-specific $C_4$ were similar, but were different from each other in $B_4$ and $C_4$. Therefore the subunit A may be conservative in evolution, and the evolution of subunit B seems to be faster than that of subunit A. The activity of LDH $A_4$, $A_2B_2$, $B_4$, and eye-specific $C_4$ isozymes remained at 39.98, 21.28, 19.67 and 16.87% as a result of the inhibition by 10 mM of pyruvate, so the degree of inhibition was very high. The $Km^{PYR}$ values were 0.17, 0.27 and 0.133 mM in $A_4$, $B_4$ and eye-specific $C_4$ isozymes, respectively. The optimum pH of LDH $A_4$, $B_4$, eye-specific $C_4$, $A_2B_2$, $A_3B$, and $AB_3$ were pH 6.5, pH 8.5, pH 5.5, pH 6.0-6.5, pH 5.0 and pH 7.5. The $A_4$ and heterotetramer isozymes stabilized a broad range of pH. Especially, LDH activities in skeletal muscle tissue were high, resulting in a high degree of muscle activity.LDH metabolism in eye tissue seems to be converted faster from pyruvate to lactate by eye-specific $C_4$ isozyme as eye-specific $C_4$ have the highest affinity for pyruvate, and right after the conversion, oxidation of lactate was induced by $A_4$ isozyme. It was found that expression of Ldh-C, affinity to substrate and reaction time of $C_4$ isozyme were different according to the ecological environmental and feeding capturing patterns.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.9
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• pp.1174-1181
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• 2008

Garlics were aged at 60, 70, 80, and $90^{\circ}C$ for 1, 3 and 6 days. Samples were analyzed for physico-chemical components and antioxidant activities, such as DPPH scavenging activity and reducing power of hot water and ethanol extracts. The Hunter L, a and b values were significantly lower in sample aged at higher temperature and for longer time. In initiation of aging, the share force was the lowest in sample aged at $90^{\circ}C(85.70{\pm}1.44\;kg/cm^2)$ and it increased for 6 days to $411.30{\pm}13.90\;kg/cm^2$ in aging. The pH of garlic was acidified at increasing aged temperature and periods. In sample aged for 6 days at $60^{\circ}C$ and $90^{\circ}C$, pH was 6.12 and 3.90, respectively. Contents of total phenolics and flavonoids also increased in sample aged at higher temperature and for longer time. Their contents increased about 3.5 and 9.1 times higher in sample aged for 6 days at $90^{\circ}C$ than sample aged for 6 days at $60^{\circ}C$, respectively. Total pyruvate contents were fluctuated by aging temperature and periods. DPPH scavenging activity was increased in sample aged at higher temperature and longer time. The highest activity of DPPH scavenging showed $87.48{\pm}0.20%$ in sample aged for 6 days at $90^{\circ}C$. Similar results were observed in reducing power activity. It was estimated that such increases in anti-oxidant activities in aged garlics may come from actions of phenolics, flavonoids and browning compounds in them.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.69-76
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• 2017

Citrin deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the SLC25A13 gene on chromosome 7q21.3, and a type of urea cycle disorder that causes hyperammonemia. Although neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis and adult-onset type II citrullinemia, a type of citrin deficiency, have been described well in many articles for several decades, failure to thrive and dyslipidemia caused by citrin deficiency (FTTDCD), the other type of citrin deficiency, has been only identified recently. There was previously no case report about FTTDCD in Korea. Patients with FTTDCD could present with loss of appetite, fatigue, failure to thrive, hypoglycemia, hypercitrullinemia, dyslipidemia, and an increased lactate/pyruvate ratio. Routine evaluation may not reveal the cause of hypoglycemia caused by citrin deficiency. We recently had a case that presented with recurrent hypoglycemia in a 30-month-old boy. Chemistry profiling, urine organic acid analysis, plasma acylcarnitine analysis, and hormone studies indicated values within the normal range or non-specific findings. Mutation analysis to identify the cause of hypoglycemia identified the subject as a compound heterozygote carrying each of the c.852_855del ($p.Met285Profs^*2$), and c.1177+1G>A mutant alleles. We report here on this unusual case of citrin deficiency presenting with FTTDCD for the first time in Korea.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.105-109
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• 2007

Alcoholic extract of Terminalia arjuna [TA] was evaluated far its hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride (CCl$_4$)-induced hepatic damage in rats. The hepatoprotective activity of TA was evaluated by measuring levels of serum marker enzymes like serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), serum alkaline phosphatase (SALP). The serum levels of total proteins(TP), total albumins (TAL) and bilirubin (BILN) were also estimated. The histological studies were also carried out to support the above parameters. Silymarin (SM) was used as standard drug. Administration of TA (250 and 500 mg/kg/po) markedly prevented CCl$_4$-induced elevation of levels of SGOT, SGPT, SALP, TP, TAL and BILN. These biochemical observations were supplemented by histopathological examination of liver sections. Alcoholic extract of TA also shown significant in-vitro free radical scavenging activity against 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) and nitric oxide (NO) radicals. Thus, the present study provides a scientific rationale for the traditional use of this plant in the management of liver diseases.