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Absolute quantification of human liver metabolite concentrations by localized in vivo 31P NMR spectroscopy in diffuse liver disease

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Abstract

Phosphorus-31 NMR spectroscopy using slice selection (DRESS) was used to investigate the absolute concentrations of metabolites in the human liver. Absolute concentrations provide more specific biochemical information compared to spectrum integral ratios. Nine patients with histopathologically proven diffuse liver disease and 12 healthy individuals were examined in a 1.5-T MR scanner (GE Signa LX Echospeed plus). The metabolite concentration quantification procedures included: (1) determination of optimal depth for the in vivo measurements, (2) mapping the detection coil characteristics, (3) calculation of selected slice and liver volume ratios using simple segmentation procedures and (4) spectral analysis in the time domain. The patients had significantly lower concentrations of phosphodiesters (PDE), 6.3±3.9 mM, and ATP-β, 3.6±1.1 mM, (P<0.05) compared with the control group (10.0±4.2 mM and 4.2±0.3 mM, respectively). The concentrations of phosphomonoesters (PME) were higher in the patient group, although this was not significant. Constructing an anabolic charge (AC) based on absolute concentrations, [PME]/([PME] + [PDE]), the patients had a significantly larger AC than the control subjects, 0.29 vs. 0.16 (P<0.005). Absolute concentration measurements of phosphorus metabolites in the liver are feasible using a slice selective sequence, and the technique demonstrates significant differences between patients and healthy subjects.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Depatment of Radiology/IMV, Linköping University, 581-85, Linköping, Sweden

    Bengt Norén, Peter Lundberg, Staffan Wirell & Örjan Smedby

  2. Department of Radiation Physics, Linköping University, 581-85, Linköping, Sweden

    Peter Lundberg

  3. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Linköping University, 581-85, Linköping, Sweden

    Marcus Ressner

  4. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology/IMK, Linköping University, 581-85, Linköping, Sweden

    Sven Almer

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  1. Bengt Norén
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  2. Peter Lundberg
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  4. Staffan Wirell
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Correspondence to Peter Lundberg.

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Norén, B., Lundberg, P., Ressner, M. et al. Absolute quantification of human liver metabolite concentrations by localized in vivo 31P NMR spectroscopy in diffuse liver disease. Eur Radiol 15, 148–157 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-004-2434-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-004-2434-x

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