Physiological Interpretation of the Lactate to Pyruvate AUC Ratio for Hyperpolarized 1-13C-Pyruvate Studies.

Key Points

• To explore how the lactate to pyruvate AUC ratio relates to metabolic processes, particularly in identifying limiting steps in lactate production.
• Proposed a model for parametric representation of AUC ratio.
• Analyzed changes in pyruvate extravasation and cellular transport.
• Investigated intracellular metabolism and acquisition parameters.
• Identified potential rate-limiting steps in lactate production.
• Demonstrated that changes in AUC ratio can reflect metabolic shifts.
• Allowed corrections for variability caused by acquisition parameters.