hyperpolarized 13C,15N2-urea

Hyperpolarized 13C,15N2-urea is a metabolically inert imaging agent used as a contrast probe for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It consists of urea labeled with the stable isotopes carbon-13 and nitrogen-15, which is hyperpolarized using dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) to increase MRI sensitivity by over 10,000-fold compared to conventional MRI. The dual 15N2 labeling is specifically utilized to extend the T1 relaxation time of the hyperpolarized state, significantly improving the signal-to-noise ratio and allowing for a longer imaging window in vivo. This agent is primarily investigated for perfusion imaging applications, including the assessment of brain vasculature, renal function, spinal cord perfusion, and the cancer microenvironment. Unlike gadolinium-based agents, it does not cross the intact blood-brain barrier, making it a sensitive tool for evaluating vascular integrity and perfusion changes.

Other names

[13C,15N2]ureahyperpolarized 13C,15N-ureaHP 13C,15N2-urea