Computer-based algorithm modeling protein metabolism in aortic regurgitation for positron emission tomography

The authors have developed a 3-compartment model for determining the distribution of label derived from L-[l-/sup 14/C]leucine (LEU) in myocardial tissue. The 3 compartments are the pools of tissue precursor (i.e. free) LEU, protein-incorporated leucine (P-LEU), and the leucine metabolite /spl alpha/-ketoisocaproate (KIC). To apply this model to positron emission tomography (PET) of the heart with /sup 11/C labeled LEU, the portion of image activity within the protein pool must be determined. The authors have determined experimentally the kinetic rate coefficients for LEU metabolism in heart protein and used them to calculate the distribution of activity in the tissue LEU, P-LEU and KIC pools from the plasma LEU activity. The authors then applied these results in simulation studies modeling PET image acquisition using L-[1-/sup 11/C]LEU. Their findings indicate that PET imaging of protein metabolism with L-[l-/sup 11/C]LEU is feasible.<
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