[1-13C]pyruvate

[1‑13C]pyruvate is a stable isotope-labeled form of the endogenous metabolite pyruvate, in which the carbon at position 1 is replaced with the non-radioactive carbon isotope ^13C. It is primarily used as a molecular imaging agent in hyperpolarized magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) to study real-time cellular metabolism, especially for tracking metabolic fluxes such as conversion to lactate via lactate dehydrogenase. Hyperpolarized [1‑13C]pyruvate enables sensitive detection of metabolic changes associated with diseases like cancer and cardiovascular disorders. The compound itself does not have direct pharmacological activity but serves as a tracer for metabolic imaging and research applications[3][5][9]. Its use in humans is investigational and requires regulatory approval under an IND or equivalent protocol[2][7].

Brand names

Hyperpolarized Pyruvate (13C) Injection

Other names

hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvatesodium pyruvate (1‑¹³C)pyruvic acid, sodium salt (1‑¹³C)sodium 2‑oxopropanoate (1‑¹³C)sodium α-ketopropionate (1‑¹³C)