Magnetic resonance spectroscopy for the determination of renal metabolic rate in vivo

Abstract

The method of magnetic resonance spectroscopy has been validated and applied to the determination of renal metabolic rate in vivo. Using an indwelling detector coil, 31P NMR spectra from one kidney of anesthetized rats were quantified. The concentration of ATP was the same as that determined enzymatically, but both ADP and Pi were substantially lower. Only 25% of renal Pi and virtually none of the ADP were detected by NMR. The remainder is assumed to be bound to proteins. These concentrations of metabolites contributed to a significantly increased phosphorylation potential, which in turn should increase the free energy of hydrolysis of ATP. Saturation transfer, a non-destructive magnetic technique for the measurement of chemical exchange, was readily able to detect synthesis of ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate. The rate of ATP synthesis determined was comparable to that determined in parallel studies of renal oxygen consumption. An ATP:O ratio of approximately 2 was found, indicating that fatty acid is the preferred fuel of respiration of the rat kidney in vivo.