ABSTRACT
Ten amniotic fluid samples obtained from third trimester pregnant women suffering from insulin dependant diabetes mellitus were analysed by 1H-NMR and compared to ten samples from a group of normal volunteers. A subset of the metabolites identified; valine, lactate, alanine, acetate, citrate and glucose were quantitated using standard addition methods. Apart from valine and citrate, a general diminution in the concentration of each of these species was found, especially glucose, in the diabetic group. The abnormally low glucose levels in the diabetic group are suggestive of infection in the patient group. However, the depressed lactate levels in the diabetic group suggest that in these cases the fetus was not subjected to stress.
Subject(s)
Amniotic Fluid/chemistry , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/metabolism , Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy , Pregnancy in Diabetics/metabolism , Acetates/analysis , Alanine/analysis , Citric Acid/metabolism , Female , Glucose/analysis , Humans , Lactic Acid/analysis , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Trimester, Third , Valine/analysisABSTRACT
Ten amniotic fluid samples (36-38 weeks gestation) are analysed by NMR spectroscopy. Of the species identified in the spectra, valine (mean 198 microM: SEM 57 microM), lactate (9.73 mM; 2.05 mM), alanine (689 microM: 115 microM), acetate (6.87 mM: 1.54 mM), citrate (363 microM: 59 microM), glucose (4.54 mM: 1.28 mM) indoxyl-sulphate (n = 4,270 microM), histidine (n = 6, 125 microM: 31 microM) and formate (n = 4, 92 microM) are quantified using standard addition. The factors governing the detection limits and lowest quantifiable amounts are discussed as are the extension of the work into in vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in the clinic.
Subject(s)
Amino Acids/analysis , Amniotic Fluid/chemistry , Carboxylic Acids/analysis , Glucose/analysis , Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy , Cesarean Section , Female , Humans , Indican/analysis , PregnancyABSTRACT
1H spin echo NMR spectroscopy is used to follow the interaction of intact and viable erythrocytes and monocytes obtained from different sources in mixed cultures. After a lag time (270 min) erythrocyte glutathione is observed to become more oxidised. This result is believed to occur as a consequence of monocyte activation generating hydrogen peroxide or hypochlorous acid, which is targeted at the erythrocyte. The red cell in turn employs its sulphydryl system as an anti-oxidant defence.
