Maximization of cucurbit[6]uril hyperpolarized chemical exchange saturation transfer (HyperCEST) in bovine blood at 3.0 T

Cucurbit[6]uril is a well-studied contrast agent for hyperpolarized 129Xe (HP 129Xe) MRI. Although the in vivobiodistribution of CB6 was measured with hyperpolarized chemical exchange saturation transfer (HyperCEST), there were no previous studies reported for maximization of the HyperCEST effect by optimization of depolarization pre-pulse trains. In the present work, we maximized the CB6 HyperCEST effect in bovine blood, and found for the first time, a HyperCEST depletion of the RBC resonance. In addition, the minimum detectable concentration was found to be four times lower than previously reported.