ABSTRACT
Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMRS) is a powerful technique that enables continuous monitoring of biochemical processes in tissues and organs in a non-invasive manner. A model of isolated perfused rat pancreas, suitable for NMRS studies, was developed. Acute pancreatitis was induced by injections of either 0.5 me 5 per cent sodium taurocholate (TC) into the bile ducts, or 1.0 ml 10 per cent TC injection into the pancreatic parenchyma. Phosphorus (P) NMRS of experimental pancreatitis were characterized by a transient signal at -0.18ñ0.04 ppm which was assigned as solubilized lecithin, and cana be used as an indicator of the early also found during acute pancreatitis,and paralleled the extension of the pathological damage. The role of NMRS in pancreatic cancer diagnosis and its treatment were assessed in three moeels of pancreatic neoplasms. Perfused MIA PaCa-2 human pancreatic cancer cells, subcutaneously implanted pancreatic tumors in hamster, and pancreatic tumors induced in-situ in rats by direct application of the carcinogen 7,12-dimethil benzanthracene, were studied by phosphorus (P), sodium (Na) and proton (H) NMRS. P spectra of pancreatic cancer were similar in both the normal pancreas and the pancreatic tumors (39-40 mmol/g wet weight)...