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Biomedical subjects

G K Radda

Publications and source records attributed to G K Radda.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

Spatially localized magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the brains of normal and asphyxiated newborns.

Phase-modulated rotating frame imaging is a modification of magnetic resonance spectroscopy, which uses a linear radiofrequency field gradient to obtain spatially localized biochemical information. Phase-modulated rotating frame imaging was used to study regional cerebral energy metabolism in the brains of 9 normal newborns and 25 newborns after birth asphyxia. Relative concentrations of phosphorus-containing metabolites and intracellular pH were determined for brain tissue at three specified depths below the brain surface for all neonates. Wide variations in metabolite ratios were seen among normal neonates, and considerable metabolic heterogeneity was demonstrated in individual neonates by depth-resolved spectroscopy. Asphyxiated neonates with severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and a poor neurodevelopmental outcome showed the expected rise in inorganic orthophosphate and fall in phosphocreatine concentrations in both global and spatially localized spectra. Phase-modulated rotating frame imaging showed that metabolic derangement was less in superficial than in deeper brain tissue. The inorganic orthophosphate-adenosine triphosphate ratio from 1 to 2 cm below the brain surface was more accurate than any global metabolite ratio for the identification of neonates with a poor short-term outcome. These data are consistent with the known vulnerability of subcortical brain tissue to hypoxic-ischemic injury in the full-term neonate.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Hyperthyroidism results in increased glycolytic capacity in the rat heart. A 31P-NMR study.

We have investigated the metabolic adaptations that occur in the thyroxine-treated rat heart. Rats were made hyperthyroid by daily intra-peritoneal injections of thyroxine (35 micrograms/100 g body weight) over seven days. 31P-NMR investigations of isolated glucose-perfused isometric hearts showed that thyroxine treatment caused an increase in Pi (from 4.9 mumols.(g dry wt.)-1 in control hearts to 11.7 mumols.(g dry wt.)-1 in hyperthyroid hearts), a decrease in phosphocreatine (from 36.5 mumols.(g dry wt.)-1 to 21.8 mumols.(g dry wt.)-1) with no change in ATP or ADP concentrations under the same conditions of cardiac work. The unidirectional exchange flux Pi----ATP was measured by saturation transfer NMR in hyperthyroid rat hearts. This exchange (which has been shown to contain a significant glycolytic component) increased by 2.2-fold in thyroxine-treated hearts in comparison to control hearts (to 3.6 mumols.(g dry wt.)-1.s-1, from 1.6 mumols.(g dry wt.)-1.s-1). In parallel experiments, NMR analysis of extracts from hyperthyroid rat hearts showed significantly elevated levels of glucose 6-phosphate, and fructose 6-phosphate. Measurements of enzyme activities isolated from hyperthyroid and control tissue showed a 40% increase in phosphofructokinase activity. These data together with the increased concentration of Pi show that both glycolytic and glycogenolytic fluxes are increased in the hyperthyroid rat heart. This metabolic adaptation may be necessary to cope with the increased number and activity of Na+/K(+)-ATPase pumps that occur in response to thyroxine treatment.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Spin-spin relaxation of the phosphodiester resonance in the 31P NMR spectrum of human brain. The determination of the concentrations of phosphodiester components.

The phosphodiester peak in 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of human brain in vivo is often the most prominent feature of the spectrum. We have demonstrated that this resonance exhibits bi-exponential spin-spin relaxation, giving relaxation times of 2 and 10 ms. We interpret this in terms of the two components which make up the peak, bilayer lipids and the small cytosolic phosphates glycerophosphoethanolamine and glycerophosphocholine. Using the relaxation times and the relative peak heights of the two components we have also been able to quantitate the concentration of the bilayer lipids as 20-40 times that of ATP.

Brain Chemistry↗

Spatially resolved changes in diabetic rat skeletal muscle metabolism in vivo studied by 31P-n.m.r. spectroscopy.

Phase-modulated rotating-frame imaging (p.m.r.f.i.), a localization technique for 31P-n.m.r. spectroscopy, has been applied to obtain information on the heterogeneity of phosphorus-containing metabolites and pH in the skeletal muscle of control and streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Using this method, the metabolic changes in four spatially resolved longitudinal slices (where slice I is superficial and slice IV is deep muscle) through the ankle flexor muscles have been investigated at rest and during steady-state isometric twitch-contraction at 2 Hz. At rest, intracellular pH was lower, and phosphocreatine (PCr)/ATP was higher, throughout the muscle mass in diabetic compared with control animals. The change in PCr/ATP in diabetic muscle correlated with a decrease in the chemically determined ATP concentration. During the muscle stimulation period, the decrease in pH observed in diabetic muscle at rest was maintained, but not exacerbated, by the contractile stimulus. Stimulation of muscle contraction caused more marked changes in PCr/(PCr + Pi), PCr/ATP and Pi/ATP in the diabetic group. These changes were most evident in slice III, which contains the greatest proportion of fast glycolytic-oxidative (type IIa) fibres, in which statistically significant differences were observed for all metabolite ratios. The results presented suggest that some degree of heterogeneity occurs in diabetic skeletal muscle in vivo with respect to the extent of metabolic dysfunction caused by the diabetic insult and that regions of the muscle containing high proportions of type IIa fibres appear to be most severely affected.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Metabolic consequences of positive inotropy in rat and guinea-pig hearts.

The metabolic and physiological responses of hearts from male rats and guinea-pigs to isoprenaline and SK&F 94120 (a phosphodiesterase III inhibitor), have been studied. Doses which gave similar chronotropic stimulation gave different inotropic responses. In both species, isoprenaline generated a greater increase in developed tension than SK&F 94120. With both drugs the inotropic response in the rat was less than than in the guinea-pig. 31P-NMR investigation of high-energy phosphate levels showed reduction in PCr concentration and an accompanying acidosis in the isoprenaline-perfused rat heart only. In both species, lactate production was stimulated by SK&F 94120 but not by isoprenaline. These results are discussed with reference to G-protein activation of ion channels and differences in Ca2+ handling by the two species.

Acidosis↗

Role of phosphocreatine in energy transport in skeletal muscle of bullfrog studied by 31P-NMR.

To evaluate the energy-shuttle hypothesis of the phosphocreatine/creatine kinase system, diffusion rates for ATP, phosphocreatine and flux through the creatine kinase reaction were determined by 31P-NMR in resting bullfrog biceps muscle. The diffusion coefficient of phosphocreatine measured by 31P-pulsed gradient NMR was 1.4-times larger than ATP in the muscle, indicating the advantage of phosphocreatine molecules for the intracellular energy transport. The flux of the creatine kinase reaction measured by 31P-saturation transfer NMR was 3.6 mmol/kg wet wt. per s in the resting muscle. The flux is equal to the turnover rate of ATP, ADP, phosphocreatine and creatine molecules, therefore, the life-times of these substrates and the average distance traversed after the life-times by the diffusing molecules were calculated using the diffusion coefficients obtained by 31P-NMR. The mean square length of one-dimensional diffusion was 22 microns in ATP molecules and the minimum diffusion length was 1.8 microns in ADP molecules. The latter was calculated using free ADP concentration, 30 mumol/kg wet wt., obtained from the equilibrium constant of the creatine kinase reaction and the diffusion coefficient assumed to be the same of ATP in muscle. Similar diffusion lengths of ADP were calculated using the reported values for the flux of the creatine kinase reaction in heart and smooth-muscle. The diffusion lengths of all substrates involved in the creatine kinase reaction were larger than the radii of myofibrils. Therefore, in the muscles with an alternating arrangement of mitochondria and myofibrils, such as heart and certain skeletal muscles, ATP and ADP molecules can move freely between myofibrils and mitochondria without the aid of the creatine kinase reaction; thus, we conclude that the energy-shuttle hypothesis is not obligatory for energy transport between the mitochondria and the myofibrils.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Multiple quantum filtered 23Na NMR spectroscopy in the perfused heart.

It has been proposed that multiple quantum filtered (MQF) 23Na NMR spectroscopy may distinguish between sodium in the intra- and extracellular spaces, in vivo, and without the requirement for toxic shift reagents. We have investigated the origin of such signals in perfused rat hearts, using shift reagents to discriminate between NMR signals from the two compartments. We find that the observed MQF signal arises predominantly from the extracellular space in the normal heart, and from the intracellular space in the ischaemic heart. However, the quenching effect of the shift reagent may hide some of the extracellular MQF signal, especially during ischaemia. Estimates of intracellular and extracellular relaxation times are obtained and possible mechanisms of the interaction discussed.

Animals↗

Persistent metabolic sequelae of severe head injury in humans in vivo.

Six patients who had suffered severe non-penetrating high velocity head injuries were investigated with phosphorus (31P) magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to determine, non-invasively, long-term alteration in intracellular biochemistry. The normal subjects were found to have a constant intracellular pH (pHi, 7.03 +/- 0.03) with depth into the brain. The adenosine triphosphate (ATP, 3.46 +/- 0.66 mmol/L of brain tissue), inorganic phosphate (Pi, 1.15 +/- 0.41 mmol/L) and phosphomonester (PME, 2.76 +/- 1.0 mmol/L) tissue concentrations did not alter significantly with depth into normal brain. The phosphocreatine (PCr, 2 cm = 5.21 +/- 1.25, 5 cm = 4.85 +/- 1.49 mmol/L) was slightly reduced, whilst phosphodiesters (PDE, 2 cm = 9.53 +/- 2.6, 5 cm = 14.41 +/- 4.2 mmol/L) rose significantly between tissue comprising mainly of gray (2 cm) and white matter (5 cm). In comparison the contra-lateral hemisphere to the side of worst spasticity showed significant changes a considerable time after injury (6-18 months). The intracellular metabolite tissue concentrations were all reduced by 30% (ATP 2.53 +/- 1.0 mmol/L, PCr 3.44 +/- 0.8 mmol/L) with PDE reduced most significantly at depth (5 cm = 8.4 +/- 3.4 mmol/L), compatible with the cerebral atrophy seen in these patients. In white matter the pHi also decreased with depth (2 cm = 7.03 +/- 0.03, 5 cm = 6.89 +/- 0.05). The reduction in pHi so long after injury is difficult to explain in these steady-state conditions. A structural abnormality, such as a disorder in the blood brain barrier or accumulation of large acidic lysosomes, could cause these pHi changes. There may also be a failure in blood flow regulation, with near critical fluctuations in blood flow both with time and space.

Accidents, Traffic↗

Effects of repeated low calcium perfusion on the rat heart: a gradual induction of calcium related damage.

The calcium paradox occurs immediately upon perfusion with calcium-containing medium after a period of calcium-free perfusion. The sequence of events occur so rapidly that it is difficult to distinguish causal factors from resultant. The present study describes a model in which calcium induced damage is produced more gradually. Isolated perfused rat hearts were subjected to brief periods of hypocalcium perfusion (less than 50 microM) alternated with normal calcium perfusion (1.25 mM) over 60 min. Changes in high energy phosphate content were monitored using 31P-NMR. With repeated sequential 2-min periods of alternate hypo- and normocalcium perfusion, there was a gradual reduction in ATP and phosphocreatine with a concomitant loss of function and decline in coronary flow. There was no change in inorganic phosphate content and a small degree of acidosis. Increasing the hypocalcium concentration from 5 to 40 microM resulted in a more gradual depletion in energy stores. Trifluoroperazine (a calmodulin inhibitor) had no effect on the energetic changes. Electron microscopic studies reveal that this model of damage induced by repeated low and normal calcium perfusion has some features in common with the calcium paradox. The extent of damage induced is greater when lower calcium concentrations (5 microM) are used.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Muscle ischaemia in peripheral vascular disease studied by 31P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

We have used 31phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS) to study foot muscle metabolism in patients with peripheral vascular disease. Sixteen patients with calf claudication, 32 patients with rest pain and 13 control subjects had spectra collected from the foot muscle, Extensor digitorum brevis, ankle pressures measured and, in most cases, transcutaneous O2 and CO2 recordings made over the foot. The intracellular pH and the ratio of inorganic phosphate to phosphocreatine (Pi/PCr) obtained from the MR spectra were significantly higher (p less than 0.005 and p less than 0.02, respectively) in the muscle of patients with rest pain and were particularly high in those with gangrene or ulceration. Ankle pressures and transcutaneous O2 and CO2 measurements failed to distinguish those patients with advanced peripheral ischaemia. These results suggest that MRS measurements of metabolic changes in foot muscle are useful in the detection and quantitation of significant distal ischaemia.

Aged↗

A study of patients with alcoholic liver disease by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

1. Patients with a history of alcohol abuse were studied by 31P n.m.r. spectroscopy of the liver in vivo, and the results were related to the pattern of disease assessed by standard biochemical and histological techniques. 2. The ratios of metabolites measured from the 31P n.m.r. spectra were abnormal in patients with alcoholic hepatitis but not in those with fatty change or cirrhosis in the absence of hepatitis. In particular, the levels of phosphomonoesters were raised, with respect either to Pi, or to adenosine 5'-triphosphate. The level of phosphomonoesters showed a significant positive correlation with the severity of alcoholic hepatitis, assessed by histology. 3. The ratio of Pi to adenosine 5'-triphosphate was used as a measure of the energy status of the hepatocytes, and was unchanged between patients and controls.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

A non-invasive method of measuring concentrations of rubidium in rat skeletal muscle in vivo by 87Rb nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy: implications for the measurement of cation transport activity in vivo.

1. We have used n.m.r. spectroscopy to measure rubidium concentrations in the skeletal muscle of live intact rats. Using a 1.9 T superconducting magnet and an ear-phone coil tuned to both protons (1H) and rubidium (87Rb), it was possible to make measurements of both tissue rubidium content and water content, and from these measurements to obtain the rubidium concentration. 2. The n.m.r. estimate of rubidium concentration in muscle in vivo was found to be a constant 31% (SEM 4%) of that estimated by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy in an extract of excised muscle. This is close to the predicted theoretical n.m.r. visibility of 33%. The visibility was constant for muscle rubidium concentrations ranging between 10 and 34 mmol/l. 3. Rubidium concentration measurement by this method is unaffected by variations in sample geometry, sample volume, tissue conductivity, coil tuning and amplifier gain. 4. By using this method to measure changes in tissue rubidium concentration with time in the same animal, it should now be possible to assess the activity of ion transport systems, such as sodium- and potassium-activated adenosine triphosphatase in vivo, by measuring the rates of change of tissue rubidium concentrations during the administration of rubidium salts. 5. This method could also be used to measure the absolute concentration of any n.m.r.-visible nucleus and could be applied to man.

Animals↗

Response of the human brain to a hypercapnic acid load in vivo.

1. The aim of this investigation was to measure the change in intracellular pH of human brain in vivo in response to hypercapnia. 2. Five healthy male subjects inspired air for 20 min and then 5% CO2/95% O2 for 30 min, of which the first 10 min was used to achieve a steady-state end-tidal CO2 measurement. 3. 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to measure intracellular pH while breathing air and during hypercapnia. Simultaneous localization between superficial and deep brain was achieved by using the phase-modulated rotating frame imaging technique. One subject volunteered to breath air for a further phase-modulated rotating frame imaging study while recovering from hypercapnia. 4. End-tidal CO2 increased when breathing 5% CO2/95% O2 (on air, 5.57 +/- 0.21%; on 5% CO2/95% O2, 6.41 +/- 0.16%; rise = +0.84 +/- 0.09%; means +/- SEM) causing a reduction in brain intracellular pH, which was more pronounced in deep brain (5 cm = mainly white matter, from 7.02 +/- 0.006 pH units to 6.96 +/- 0.001 pH units, mean +/- SEM) than in superficial brain (2 cm = mainly grey matter, from 7.02 +/- 0.006 pH units to 7.00 +/- 0.006 pH units, mean +/- SEM). 5. The white matter responded to hypercapnia with a greater fall in intracellular pH than the grey matter. This could either be due to differences in blood flow between grey and white matter in response to hypercapnia or to differences in intracellular pH regulation/buffering between these two tissues.

Brain↗