Joachim Bargon1, Rahim R. Rizi2
1Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany; 2Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Fatty acids are important for human nutrition. Disorders in their metabolism cause a variety of severe diseases. Of particular interest are differences due to the cis- and trans-steric isomers of unsaturated and multiply unsaturated varieties. Using 1H- and 13C-hyperpolarized fatty acids, their metabolites and their intermediates generated via Parahydrogen Induced Polarization (PHIP) as molecular probes and messengers to follow their fate and metabolism in the body provides detailed information about their conversions. Whereas the 13C-hyperpolarized cis-isomers of mono-unsaturated fatty acids are readily accessible using standard Rh-hydrogenation catalysts, unique Ru-catalyst are required to provide the corresponding trans forms.