Chemical Shift Of Pi Research Articles

Equilibrium Enzymes in Regulatory Systems

See related article, p 68–73 The work by Karamat et al1 contains evidence that creatine kinase (CK) mRNA in vascular smooth muscle has a direct correlation with blood pressure. This result is both interesting and problematic: there is no previous evidence from in vitro experiments that smooth muscle CK is a regulatory enzyme, and there is considerable evidence that the enzyme is at equilibrium inside cells. As the data indicate a regulatory role for the equilibrium enzyme CK in control of blood pressure, the general problem of investigating the role of an equilibrium enzyme in a regulatory system is inherently intriguing. Cytosolic CK has been always considered an equilibrium enzyme, whether in striated or smooth muscle. This assumption was used to calculate the free concentration of ADP in cells, in which the concentrations of ATP, PCr, and creatine could be determined. Phosphate NMR was used to measure the relative free concentrations of ATP, PCr, and Pi, and from the chemical shifts of Pi and β-ATP, the pH and free Mg++ of the cell could also be determined. Coupled with chemical measurements of creatine, and using in vitro measurements of the CK equilibrium constant, the free concentration of ADP (and thus the free energy of the cell) could be calculated. Measurements of free ADP cannot be made from chemical analyses because ADP liberated from f-actin compromises these measurements.2 ADP could not be seen as a peak in striated muscle phosphate NMR because of both its low concentration and chemical shift similarity to the ATP resonances. The lower concentration of Mg++ in smooth muscle meant that β-ADP had a different chemical shift from γ-ATP, and ADP peaks could be seen under …

Increase of free Mg2+in the skeletal muscle of chronic fatigue syndrome patients

In a previous study we evaluated muscle blood flow and muscle metabolism in patients diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). To better understand muscle metabolism in CFS, we re-evaluated our data to calculate free Magnesium levels in skeletal muscle. Magnesium is an essential cofactor in a number of cell processes. A total of 20 CFS patients and 11 controls were evaluated. Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy from the medial gastrocnemius muscle was used to calculate free Mg2+ from the concentrations and chemical shifts of Pi, PCr, and beta ATP peaks. CFS patients had higher magnesium levels in their muscles relative to controls (0.47 + 0.07 vs 0.36 + 0.06 mM, P < 0.01), although there was no difference in the rate of phosphocreatine recovery in these subjects, as reported earlier. This finding was not associated with abnormal oxidative metabolism as measured by the rate of recovery of phosphocreatine after exercise. In summary, calculation of free Mg2+ levels from previous data showed CFS patients had higher resting free Mg2+ levels compared to sedentary controls.

(31)P MR Spectroscopic Measurement of Intracellular pH in Normal Human Hearts

Purpose: To assess the usefulness of intracellular pH (pHi), calculated by determining the shift of a high-energy metabolite such as inorganic phosphate (Pi) or γ-ATP after performing MRS with ECG-gated two-dimensional CSI (chemical shift imaging), as a parameter for the overall state of the intracellular milieu. Materials and Methods: Proton decoupled 31P CSI was performed on a 1.5-T scanner using a - dual-tuned surface coil. Cardiac MRS data were obtained from eight normal volunteers aged 24-32 years with no history of heart disease. From the spectra obtained from several regions of the heart, peak position and peak area were estimated. The metabolic ratios of -, -, γ-ATP, PCr, Pi, phosphodiester and diphosphoglycerate were calculated, and pHi was estimated from the chemical shift of Pi and γ-ATP resonance. We then compared the data for the anterior myocardium with those previously published. Results: The major phosphorous metabolites identified in these human hearts were as follows: PCr, at -0.1 to +0.1 ppm; three phosphate peaks from ATP, with a chemical shift centered at about -2.7 ppm (γ-ATP), -7.8 ppm (-ATP), and -16.3 ppm (-ATP); and phosphodiester (PDE) at 2-3 ppm, inorganic phosphate (Pi) at 4.5-5.4 ppm, and diphosphoglycerate (DPG) at 5.4-6.3 ppm. The PCr/-ATP ratio was 2.200.17 and the PDE/-ATP ratio, 1.040.09. pHi readings were 7.310.23 (calculated by the shift of Pi) and 6.810.20 (calculated by the shift of γ-ATP). Pi/PCR was 0.539, a ratio higher than that mentioned in previously published reports. Conclusion: The measurement of intracelluar metabolism was affected by vaious kinds of factors. We believe, however, that pHi readings indicate the overall state of the cardiac intracelluar milieu. An unexpected pHi readings, seen at MRS, may reflect errors in the MR procedure itself and, or in the alanytical method.

In vivo 31P-MRS assessment of cytosolic [Mg 2+] in the human skeletal muscle in different metabolic conditions

Cytosolic free [Mg 2+] can be assessed in vivo by 31P-MRS from the chemical shift of β-ATP. The reliability of in vivo measurements depends on the availability of appropriate in vitro calibration curves obtained by using solutions that mimic the in vivo cytosolic conditions as far as possible. We build a semi-empiric equation that correlates the chemical shift of β-ATP to free [Mg 2+] taking into account the amount of Mg 2+ bound to all other ligands in solution. Our experiments resulted in a reliable ten-parameters equation directly usable to assess the cytosolic free [Mg 2+] of human skeletal muscle at rest, during work and recovery. Our experiments also resulted in a new equation that allows the assessment of cytosolic pH from the chemical shift of Pi taking into account the measured free [Mg 2+]. To perform simultaneous calculation of free [Mg 2+] and pH in the skeletal muscle in different metabolic conditions we developed a specific software package available on Internet (http://www.unibo.it/bioclin) together with another program based on the equation previously obtained to calculate cytosolic free [Mg 2+] in the human brain. The reliability and effectiveness of our equations and software were tested on the calf muscles of healthy volunteers at rest, during work and recovery.

Simultaneous 31P MRS of the soleus and gastrocnemius in Sherpas during graded calf muscle exercise.

The observation that the amount of lactate formed during hypobaric hypoxia decreases with the severity of hypoxia has become known as the "lactate paradox." We used noninvasive 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to further probe this problem and explore the nature of muscle metabolism during rest-exercise-recovery transitions in Sherpas indigenous to the high Himalayas of Nepal. MRS data were obtained using a whole body 1-m bore, 1.5-T Phillips Gyroscan spectrometer. Muscle-specific localization of MRS data acquisition was achieved by means of a modified image-selected in vivo spectroscopy sequence (ISIS). The spectra acquired from the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscle, rich in fast-twitch fibers, were well constrained by selective excitation and by the boundary of the leg. The spectra from a third region contained signals predominantly from the soleus, a muscle formed mainly of slow-twitch fibers. We quantified relative concentration changes in phosphocreatine (PCr), Pi, and ATP during a series of calf muscle work bouts; free ADP concentrations were calculated on the assumption that the creatine phosphokinase reaction was always essentially at equilibrium. Hydrogen ion concentrations were calculated from the chemical shift of Pi, which represents the equilibrium between mono- and diprotonated phosphate. Plantar flexion was quantified using a calf muscle ergometer designed for operation within a 1-m whole body magnet. We found that the concentration of ATP was rigorously regulated and thus did not change despite large changes in ATP turnover rates required through exercise. The relative concentrations of PCr and Pi were linear functions of the percent maximum work rate of the lateral and medial gastrocnemius, but on transition to exercise the fractional concentration changes in these metabolites were much less than the fractional change in muscle ATP turnover rates. The relationship between muscle ATP turnover rate and free ADP concentration was complex; again, a kinetic order of 1 was not observed. In contrast to the gastrocnemius, the soleus muscle sustained much smaller changes in the concentrations of these crucial metabolites during rest-work-recovery transitions. Unlike the situation in most other muscles rich in fast-twitch fibers characterized by lactate-associated acidosis during muscle work, the intracellular pH in gastrocnemius of Sherpas was stable through these protocols, which is consistent with the low lactate production (i.e., with the lactate paradox) observed in indigenous highlanders.

The Effects of Halothane and Isoflurane on the Phosphoenergetic State of the Liver During Hemorrhagic Shock in Rats

We studied the effects of halothane versus isoflurane on the phosphoenergetic state and intracellular pH (pHi) of the rat liver using in vivo31 P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy during and after hemorrhagic shock.Seventeen rats were anesthetized with 1 minimum alveolar anesthetic concentration of halothane or isoflurane. The mean arterial blood pressure was reduced to 40 mm Hg and maintained at this level for 45 min by withdrawing blood from the common carotid artery. The shed blood was then returned slowly. In vivo31 P NMR spectra were consecutively collected throughout the study. The phosphoenergetic state of the liver was evaluated from the changes in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and inorganic phosphate (Pi) levels. pHi was calculated from the chemical shifts of Pi and alpha-ATP peaks. During hemorrhagic shock, beta-ATP decreased to 35% and 45%, and Pi increased to 300% and 230% of their initial values in the halothane and isoflurane groups, respectively. Intracellular acidosis was more severe in the halothane group. The recoveries of beta-ATP and Pi were better in the isoflurane group. Halothane showed a more detrimental effect than isoflurane on the hepatic phosphoenergetic level during and after hemorrhagic shock. (Anesth Analg 1997;85:347-52)

The beta /alpha peak height ratio of ATP. A measure of free [Mg2+] using 31P NMR.

From 31P NMR measurements made in vitro at 38 degrees C, I = 0.25, pH 5. 75-8.5, and calculated free [Mg2+] from 0 to 5 mM, we show that, within the physiological range of cytosolic free [Mg2+] from 0.25 to 1.5 mM, the chemical shift difference between the alpha- and beta-ATP resonances, deltaalphabeta, changes by only 0.6 ppm. Consequently, we developed new formalisms from known acid and Mg2+ dissociation constants by which the observed chemical shift of Pi, deltaPi, and the peak height ratio of the beta- and alpha-ATP resonances, hbeta/alpha, could be related to free [Mg2+] by simultaneous solution of: [equation: see text] We found that hbeta/alpha changed 2.5-fold as free [Mg2+] varied from 0.25 to 1.5 mM, providing a more sensitive and accurate measure of free cytosolic [Mg2+]. In working rat heart perfused with glucose, free [Mg2+] was 1.0 +/- 0.1 from hbeta/alpha and 1.2 +/- 0.03 from measured [citrate]/[isocitrate] but 0.51 +/- 0.1 from deltaalphabeta. Addition of ketone bodies to the perfusate decreased free [Mg2+] estimated from hbeta/alpha to 0.61 +/- 0.02 and 0.74 +/- 0.11 by [citrate]/[isocitrate] but the estimate from deltaalphabeta was unchanged at 0.46 +/- 0.04 mM. Such differences in estimated free [Mg2+] alter the apparent Keq of the creatine kinase reaction and hence the estimated cytosolic free [SigmaADP].

Use of superfused rat skeletal muscle for metabolic studies: assessment of pH by 31P n.m.r

We developed a muscle superfusion system suitable for metabolic studies of small isolated rat muscle ex vivo in real time and in a non-destructive manner by n.m.r. spectroscopy. In order to determine biochemical stability of superfused extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle (from fasted 45 and 100 g rats), the energy state and the pH of muscle were continuously monitored by 31P n.m.r. spectroscopy. ATP and phosphocreatine remained stable during 2 h whatever the muscle size (20 or 45 mg). Neither metabolite was a sensitive probe of possible metabolic compartmentation within muscle under our experimental conditions. By contrast, the chemical shift of Pi by its sensitivity to pH was a discriminant factor in the assessment of muscle stability. Indeed, heterogeneity of pH was observed only in the 45 mg EDL muscle resulting from a core region with loss of glycogen. Together, these observations suggest deviations of energy metabolism to supply ATP. Consequently, pH may be considered as a new real-time criterion for monitoring a metabolic heterogeneity due to changes in energy metabolism of muscle preparations ex vivo.

Assessment of high-energy phosphorus compounds in the rat kidney by in situ 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy: effect of ischemia and furosemide.

31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of the in situ rat kidney was performed by a surface coil method, and the effects of ischemia and furosemide infusion were assessed. 31P NMR spectra of the kidney subjected to 30 min of ischemia returned completely to the pre-ischemic level after 60 min of reperfusion. But the 31P NMR spectra after 60 min of ischemia did not recover, even after 120 min of reperfusion. Levels of beta-ATP and inorganic phosphate (Pi) decreased and the chemical shift of Pi increased after intravenous infusion of furosemide. This increase in chemical shift might signal an alkalotic change in intracellular pH. Furosemide infusion prior to ischemia is thought to protect the kidney from injury induced by 60 min of warm ischemia. The chemical shift of Pi returned to the pre-ischemic level earlier than beta-ATP and Pi. In conclusion, according to the findings of 31P NMR spectroscopy, furosemide infusion prior to ischemia may be effective in protecting the kidney against ischemic injury. But the change in Pi peak and the causes of the dissociation of Pi and beta-ATP should be examined further.

The water resonance as an alternative pH reference: relevance to in vivo 31P NMR localized spectroscopy studies.

pH measurements require a suitable pH reference within the 31P NMR spectrum with respect to which the chemical shift of Pi, and hence pH, may be calculated. In muscle spectra PCr is prominent and provides a reference frequency. However, recent localized tumor studies have reported the absence of PCr, for example, in breast tumors. The use of the alpha-, beta-, and gamma-ATP peaks as suitable references has been suggested, but the position of the beta- and gamma-ATP peaks is dependent upon the intracellular Mg2+ concentration. The alpha-ATP is not affected by ionic concentrations; however, it contains UDPG and NAD+, the presence of which can lead to peak-shape distortion. This paper considers the use of the H2O resonance from the proton spectrum used for shimming as a suitable pH reference, provided this is also localized to the same region of interest, using a sequence giving rise to eddy current effects comparable to those of the 31P NMR sequence. Localized in vivo measurements in the muscle and brain of volunteers indicate good agreement between the proton and phosphorus chemical shifts, allowing the PCr position to be predicted to within 0.01 ppm in all cases.

Image-guided 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy of normal and transplanted human kidneys

Image-guided 31-phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was used to obtain spatially localized 31P spectra of good quality from healthy normal human kidneys and from well-functioning renal allografts. A surface coil of 14 cm diameter was used for acquiring phosphorus signals solely from a volume-of-interest located within the kidney. To determine the effects of kidney transplantation on renal metabolism, patients with well functioning allografts were studied. Little or no phosphocreatine in all spectra verifies the absence of muscle contamination, and is consistent with proper volume localization. The intensity ratio of phosphomonoesters (PME) to adenosine triphosphate (ATP) resonances in transplanted kidneys (PME/ATP = 1.1 +/- 0.4) was slightly elevated (P = 0.2) compared to that of healthy normal kidneys (PME/ATP = 0.8 +/- 0.3). The inorganic phosphate (Pi) to ATP ratio was similar in the two groups (Pi/ATP = 1.1 +/- 0.1 in transplanted kidneys vs. 1.2 +/- 0.6 in normal kidneys). Acid/base status, as evidenced from the chemical shift of Pi, was the same in both normal controls and transplanted kidneys. Despite the practical problems produced by organ depth, respiratory movement, and tissue heterogeneity, these results demonstrate that image-guided 31P MR spectra can reliably be obtained from human kidneys.

Acid Homeostasis Following Partial Ischemia in Neonatal Brain Measured In Vivo by 31P and 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

The purpose of this study was to investigate neonatal brain energy metabolism, acid, and lactate homeostasis in the period immediately following partial ischemia. Changes in brain buffering capacity were quantified by measuring mean intracellular brain pH, calculated from the chemical shift of Pi, in response to identical episodes of hypercarbia before and after ischemia. In addition, the relationship between brain buffer base deficit and intracellular pH was compared during and following ischemia. Thus, in vivo 31P and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectra were obtained from the brains of seven newborn piglets exposed to sequential episodes of hypercarbia, partial ischemia, and a second episode of hypercarbia in the postischemic recovery period. For the first episode of hypercarbia, brain buffering was similar to values reported for adult animals of other species (percentage pH regulation = 54 +/- 16%). During ischemia, the brain base deficit per unit change in pH was -19 +/- 5 mM/pH unit, which is similar to values reported for adult rats. By 20-35 min postischemia, brain acidosis partly resolved in spite of a net increase in lactate concentration. Therefore, the consumption of lactate could not explain acid homeostasis in the first 35 min following ischemia. We conclude that H+/HCO3- or other proton equivalent translocation mechanisms must be sufficiently developed in piglet brain to support acid regulation. This is surprising, because a substantial body of evidence implies these processes would be less active in immature brain. The second episode of hypercarbia, from 35 to 65 min postischemia, resulted in a smaller decrease in brain pH compared with the first episode, a result indicating an increase in brain buffering capacity (percentage pH regulation = 79 +/- 29%). This was associated with a parallel decrease in brain lactate content, and therefore acid regulation could be attributed to either continued ion translocation or the consumption of lactate. A mild decrease in brain pH and content of energy metabolites was observed, a finding suggesting that the metabolic consequences of severe postischemic hypercarbia are neither particularly dangerous or beneficial.

Decrease in internal H+ and positive inotropic effect of heptaminol hydrochloride: a 31P n.m.r. spectroscopy study in rat isolated heart.

1. The cardiotonic effect of heptaminol hydrochloride (Hept-a-myl, Delalande) was studied using 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance (n.m.r.) spectroscopy and left ventricular pressure (LVP) measurements in rat isolated hearts. The possibility of this effect being mediated by an intracellular realkalinisation was tested. 2. Isolated hearts were perfused at 10 ml min-1 by the Langendorff method with Krebs-Henseleit solution at 37 degrees C and stimulated at 5 Hz. Mechanical activity was measured as variations of left ventricular pressure (LVP). 31P-n.m.r. spectra were recorded every 2 min. Changes in cardiac adenosine triphosphate (ATP), phosphocreatine (PCr) and inorganic phosphate (Pi) were followed and intracellular pH (pHi) was estimated from the chemical shift of Pi. 3. The effects of heptaminol were tested in different conditions: normoxia, moderate ischaemia, severe ischaemia, and moderate ischaemia in the presence of amiloride or guanidinium chloride as inhibitors of the Na-H exchange. 4. In normoxia, heptaminol induced a cyclic increase of systolic LVP, associated with an increase in Pi. No significant effect on pHi was observed. In changing from normoxia to moderate ischaemia, PCr and systolic LVP decreased; a mild intracellular acidification (pHi 6.96) was obtained. Heptaminol induced a restoration of pHi and increased LVP. In severe ischaemia, the realkalinization effect and the restoration of LVP induced by heptaminol were no longer observed. During moderate ischaemia, Na-H exchange inhibitors decreased pHi and LVP. Heptaminol applied in the presence of these inhibitors was unable to restore pHi and LVP. In severe ischaemia, the realkalinization effect and the restoration of LVP induced by heptaminol were no longer observed. During moderate ischaemia, Na-H exchange inhibitors decreased pHi and LVP. Heptaminol applied in the presence of these inhibitors was unable to restore pHi and LVP. 5. These results suggest that the positive inotropic effect of heptaminol during moderate ischaemia could be related to a restoration of internal pH, possibly mediated by a stimulation of the Na-H exchange.

Methyl phosphonate as a 31P-NMR probe for intracellular pH measurements in Dictyostelium amoebae

Methyl phosphonate at concentrations up to 20 mM was found to be non toxic towards the growth of Dictyostelium amoebae and the starvation-induced differentiation program. In contrast, phenyl phosphonate at the same concentrations was found to inhibit growth. Methyl phosphonate possessed good 31P-NMR characteristics for use as a pH probe in Dictyostelium. The entry of methyl phosphonate into the cytoplasm required about 150 min of incubation before an equilibrium was reached with added extracellular methyl phosphonate. A semilogarithmic plot of the efflux of methyl phosphonate out of the amoebae was linear as a function of time, and the kinetic first-order constant was K = 0.016 min −1. The kinetic parameters were consistent with an uptake of methyl phosphonate by fluid-phase pinocytosis. The pH calculated from the chemical shift of the internalized methyl phosphonate signal was found to be pH 7.4 in aerobic Dictyostelium amoebae. The intracellular methyl phosphonate environment turned more acidic in response to anaerobiosis ( ΔpH = 0.8) or in the presence of a weak acid such as propionate. These pH determinations were in agreement with the values of cytosolic pH derived from the chemical shift of Pi. Methyl phosphonate should be a useful probe for measurements in 31P-NMR studies of Dictyostelium in situations where the signal of Pi cannot be attributed with certainty.

The use of methylphosphonate in the measurement of cytosolic pH in yeasts by 31P NMR

At pH values of the cytosol far more higher than the pK of orthophosphate (Pi) the cytosolic pH cannot be determined accurately by means of 31P NMR from the chemical shift of Pi in the cell. In addition, in this pH range, resolution of Pi resonances is especially difficult because in highly energized cells internal Pi pools tend to be low. Under these conditions the pH of the cytosol of yeast can be determined more conveniently by means of 31P NMR of methylphosphonate loaded into the cells. This compound has a much higher pK than Pi and its cellular concentration is not reduced in metabolizing yeast cells. An additional advantage is that the cells can be loaded with relatively high amounts of this compound without affecting the energization of the cells allowing the determination of the cytosolic pH either at relatively low yeast densities and/or from spectra consisting of an appreciably reduced number of scans. In experiments in which N2 is bubbled through the yeast suspension in order to remove the CO2 liberated from the cells both the cytosolic pH determined by means of 31P NMR and the mean cell pH determined by means of a glass electrode after boiling the cells increase at the onset of metabolism. Addition of KCl leads to a further but transient increase in cytosolic pH. The difference between the cytosolic pH and the mean pH increases largely after the onset of metabolism pointing to an acidification of the vacuoles. Without N2 bubbling the cells become soon acidified after addition of glucose, which may be ascribed to the accumulation of bicarbonate in the cells. In this case the pH values determined after boiling the cells may be overestimated, because of volatilisation of the CO2 during the boiling procedure.

Characterization of the 31P NMR spectrum of Manduca sexta and effects of antimetabolites

High resolution 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) was successfully applied to 5th instar larvae of Manduca sexta. Conditions for in vivo analysis under non-saturating conditions are described. The 31P NMR spectrum of intact larvae was composed of six peaks. Their resonance frequencies are reported relative to orthophosphoric acid. Analysis of tissue extracts demonstrated the in vivo peaks to be composed of the β phosphorus resonance of nucleotide triphosphates (NTP) at −19.36 ppm; α phosphorus of NTP and nucleotide diphosphates (NDP) at −10.51 ppm; β and γ phosphorus of NDP and NTP, respectively, at −5.42 ppm; phosphoarginine (PA) at −3.45 ppm; inorganic phosphate (Pi) at +2.76 ppm and sugar phosphates at +3.34 ppm. The major sugar phosphate present in fat body extracts was trehalose-6-phosphate and this was the major phosphorus component of the spectrum of hemolymph. The spin-lattice relaxation times for each in vivo peak were determined. Titration of aqueous fat body and hemolymph extracts was carried out and the relationship between the chemical shift of Pi and pH determined. On this basis the pH of the hemolymph was estimated at approx. 6.7. The metabolic inhibitors, iodoacetate and dinitrophenol, had significant effects on the 31P NMR spectrum of intact larvae. Administration of iodoacetate caused a rapid increase in the levels of sugar phosphates together with decreases in NTP and PA. Dinitrophenol also caused declines in the relative levels of NTP and PA but sugar phosphates decreased as well. The experiments demonstrated the potential of in vivo NMR analysis for metabolic studies on high energy phosphate metabolites in M. sexta.

Phosphorous compounds studied by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the taenia of guinea-pig caecum.

1. In the isolated taenia (0.4-0.6 g) of guinea-pig caecum, the intracellular phosphorous compounds and pH were investigated using 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) under various metabolic conditions. 2. The ratios of the intracellular concentration of phosphocreatine ([ PCr]) and inorganic phosphate [( Pi]) to nucleotide triphosphate ([ NTP]) were 1.71 +/- 0.14 and 0.58 +/- 0.11 (n = 25), respectively, in normal solution (32 degrees C). The intracellular pH estimated from the chemical shift of Pi was 7.05 +/- 0.06 (n = 25), agreeing well with those previously obtained. 3. In the absence of glucose, the [PCr] and [NTP] were decreased to almost a half after 150 min exposure to 40 mM-K+ solution, while [Pi] was increased 3-fold. These changes were much faster than the rate of decline in tension. When glucose was readmitted, the contractile response to K+ fully recovered in 50 min. However, this was accompanied with only a partial recovery of [PCr] and [Pi], but no recovery of [NTP]. The intracellular pH was lowered by about 0.2 of a unit, suggesting an increase in glycolysis. 4. In Ca2+-free solution, respiratory inhibition with hypoxia or CN (1 mM) only decreased [PCr], leaving [NTP] nearly unchanged. On the other hand, respiratory inhibition in excess-K+ solution containing Ca2+ (2.4 mM) severely depleted PCr and decreased [NTP] to 40%. Increasing glucose to 50 mM did not prevent these changes, although it increased tension development. 5. The simultaneous decrease of [NTP] and [PCr] during K+ contracture suggests that the activity of creatine phosphokinase is low. The recovery from respiratory inhibition was much better for [PCr] than for [NTP]. Slow, but perfect, recovery of all NTP peaks was produced by adding 1 mM-adenosine to normal solution. 6. It was suggested that tension development is closely related to the turnover rate of ATP, and not to its concentration, and that deamination of adenosine is a limiting factor in the recovery of ATP after excessive consumption.

The protective effect of enriched branched chain amino acid formulation in the ischemic heart: A phosphorous-31 nuclear magnetic resonance study

Branched chain amino acids (BCAA) have been found to have a protective effect on the ischemic myocardium. Isolated rat hearts were perfused with phosphate-free Krebs-Henseleit (KH) solution with or without BCAA. A Latex balloon-tipped catheter was inserted into the left ventricle to measure intracavitary pressures. Hearts were subjected to 18 minutes of 'no flow' global ischemia and then reperfused for 30 mins at 37 degrees C. Metabolism of high energy phosphates during ischemia and recovery was studied by P-31 NMR. Intracellular pH was calculated from the chemical shift of Pi. Pressure recovery was better with KH + BCAA (89 +/- 16%) than with KH (41 +/- 26%) (P = 0.0001); dP/dt recovery was also improved with BCAA (84 +/- 19% vs 27 +/- 27% for KH) (P = 0.0003). After 18 mins of ischemia, ATP levels in the BCAA group were higher than in the KH perfused hearts (33 +/- 20 vs 17 +/- 10% of pre-ischemic value) (P = 0.02). No significant difference was found in the intracellular pH at the end of the ischemic period. Following reperfusion the recovery of pH was better in the BCAA group (7.09 +/- 0.06 vs 7.04 +/- 0.06) (P = 0.03). These results show that BCAA protect the heart from myocardial ischemic injury, decrease depletion of ATP during ischemia, and enhance post-ischemic hemodynamic function.

31P surface-coil NMR analysis of metabolic status in KHJJ tumors.

Noninvasive monitoring of the effects of treatment on cancer tissue is fundamental to the development of rational radioimmunotherapy (RIT) schemes employing radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies or antibody fragments specific for human cancer. Recent advances in nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy make it an attractive candidate for sequential, topical monitoring by 31P NMR of metabolic events during RIT. Preliminary to this effort, we examined the metabolic competence of the well-characterized, murine KHJJ tumor in situ in BALB/c mice using 31P surface-coil NMR. The ATP/Pi ratio in tumor volumes ranging from 100 to 800 mm3 showed that tumors over this range of sizes were able to maintain high levels of ATP relative to Pi. As the tumor volume increased above 1 cm3, ATP/Pi levels indicated poor metabolic competence. This lack of metabolic competence was correlated with histological evidence of tissue necrosis and vascular disintegration. The T1 values of assigned phosphorus metabolites were established. Intracellular pH, as determined from the chemical shift of Pi, was found to vary in these tumors from 7.1 in rapidly metabolizing tissue to 6.6 in necrotic tumors.

Observations of energy metabolism in neuroectodermal tumors using in vivo 31P-NMR

The energy metabolism of living tumors in rats and hamsters were investigated by obtaining in vivo 31P-NMR spectra, and the effects of chemotherapy on tumors were evaluated by observing the changes of these spectra. Tumor cells of rat glioma, human glioblastoma and human neuroblastoma were inoculated subcutaneously in the lumbar region of the animals. After the tumor grew to over 1.5 cm in diameter, in vivo 31P-NMR spectrum data was obtained selectively from the tumor with a TMR-32 spectrometer (Oxford Research Systems, U.K.). Several peaks (ATP, inorganic phosphate (Pi), phosphodiesters and phosphomonoesters (PME)) were observed in the tumors. The heights of these peaks varied widely corresponding to the tumor growth. However, the spectrum pattern of each tumor in an active stage was found to be essentially the same regardless of histological type or tumor origin. The phosphocreatine (PCr) peak was small, ATP and PME peaks were large and tissue pH calculated from the chemical shift of Pi was low in each tumor group. After intravenous injection of a large dose of a chemotherapeutic agent, ATP peaks decreased and the Pi peak increased gradually, resulting in a dominant Pi peak pattern after several hours in all groups. With lower drug doses, spectrum changes were temporarily seen in the tumors. These findings indicated that drugs with a high dose have a selective and a direct action on the energy metabolism of tumor tissues. In vivo 31P-NMR spectra measurement is very valuable not only to investigate the energy metabolism in tumor tissue but also to evaluate the effects of chemotherapy on the tumor.