# Imaging Hepatic Gluconeogenesis with Hyperpolarized Dihydroxyacetone

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · 2020 · $342,617

## Abstract

Project Summary
 Carbon-13 based dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) experiments have shown tremendous potential for
measuring glycolytic flux and pyruvate oxidation in living tissues and in vivo. However, the current stable of
imaging agents cannot measure hepatic gluconeogenesis (GNG). We propose to develop [2-
13C]dihydroxyacetone (DHA) as an agent for measuring both GNG and hepatic glycolysis simultaneously. A
ratio of three-carbon to hexose metabolites derived from DHA will provide a metric of net hepatic GNG. HP
experiments will be compared to gold standard [U-13C]propionate/D2O based estimates of GNG and to targeted
metabolomic profiles of glycolytic intermediates.
 We will measure GNG and glycolysis in three different rodent models. Aims 1 and 2 will target metabolism
in the perfused liver of the C57BLKS/J mouse (control) and the well-accepted db/db model of diabetes and
hepatic glucose overproduction. We will also assess the sensitivity of the method to treatment using a protocol
based on metformin administration.
 Aim 3 of the grant transitions to in vivo experiments at 7 T that will be developed at the MD Anderson
Center in collaboration with Dr. James Bankson. Dr. Bankson proposes to develop new constrained
reconstruction algorithms that will enhance the localization of the 13C images, an extremely challenging issue
for all hyperpolarized carbon-13 based imaging methods. We will use the Zucker (fa/fa) rat as a model of Type
II diabetes. Subsequent experiments will be transferred back to UF for completion using the 11 T imaging
system available through the National High Magnetic Field Lab at the McKnight Brain Institute.
Relevance
 Diabetes is a worldwide epidemic that is projected to affect 300 million people worldwide by the year 2025.
Methods for studying hepatic GNG are all based on tracer methodologies that require admittance to a general
research center and administration of large amounts of isotopically labeled substrates. The method proposed
here could be developed into a single exam that is integrated with standard magnetic resonance imaging
protocols. We anticipate that the method proposed could be used to guide treatment plans for diabetes and
determine the effectiveness of pharmacological interventions. Also, as a research target, the new method
allows simultaneous measures of glycolysis and GNG. This observation is a fundamentally new insight into
hepatic metabolism, and draws into light the nature of net hepatic GNG; it is the sum of the glycolytic and
gluconeogenic activities within the tissue.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9975179
- **Project number:** 5R01DK105346-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
- **Principal Investigator:** MATTHEW E MERRITT
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $342,617
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-07-30 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9975179

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9975179, Imaging Hepatic Gluconeogenesis with Hyperpolarized Dihydroxyacetone (5R01DK105346-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9975179. Licensed CC0.

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