In situ 3D magnetic resonance metabolic imaging of microwave-irradiated rodent brain: a new tool for metabolomics research

J Neurochem. 2009 Apr;109(2):494-501. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2009.05967.x. Epub 2009 Feb 7.

Abstract

The rapid elevation in rat brain temperature achieveable with focused beam microwave irradiation (FBMI) leads to a permanent inactivation of enzymes, thereby minimizing enzyme-dependent post-mortem metabolic changes. An additional characteristic of FBMI is that the NMR properties of the tissue are close to those of the in vivo condition and remain so for at least 12 h. These features create an opportunity to develop magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging on microwave-irradiated samples into a technique with a resolution, coverage and sensitivity superior to any experiment performed directly in vivo. Furthermore, when combined with pre-FBMI infusion of (13)C-labeled substrates, like [1-(13)C]-glucose, the technique can generate maps of metabolic fluxes, like the tricarboxylic acid and glutamate-glutamine neurotransmitter cycle fluxes at an unprecedented spatial resolution.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Brain / radiation effects*
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / methods
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / trends*
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy* / methods
  • Male
  • Metabolomics / methods
  • Metabolomics / trends*
  • Microwaves*
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley