NMR as a metabolic tool.

Abstract

We have briefly reviewed the broad range of applications of NMR spectroscopy to metabolism in tissues and biological fluids. Most of these studies are in the exploratory stage, though the potential of NMR for non-invasive and non-destructive monitoring of certain important substrates and reaction pathways is considerable. The limitations of the technique lie in its relative insensitivity and the rather restricted range of substances that it can detect, as well as the current expense. So far, the main clinically useful applications have been in the diagnosis and monitoring of treatment of certain inborn errors of metabolism, namely those that result in altered energy of pH states or the abnormal accumulation of significant amounts of metabolites in body fluids. It might be expected that as localization techniques improve, clinically useful information will be obtained in a wide range of ischaemic or hypoxic states, e.g. stroke and myocardial infarction. The possibility of producing a detailed spatial image of metabolite concentrations (e.g. ATP), in the way that NMR imaging techniques currently do using features of the water proton resonance, is attractive and the initial results are very encouraging (Bogusky et al, 1986; Bailes et al, 1987; Blackledge et al, 1987).