Analysis of intact rat lens metabolites by P-31 NMR spectroscopy

Using phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance (P-31 NMR) spectroscopy the rat crystalline lens was evaluated as a potential animal model for the study of lens metabolic processes relevant to the human. The P-31 NMR spectra of intact rat lenses and rat lens PCA extracts provided comparable qualitative and quantitative results concerning the tissue levels of the phosphorus-containing metabolites of intermediate metabolism. The study also establishes the feasibility of examining intact rat lens metabolism by P-31 NMR. Comparisons with reported human and rabbit lens metabolite levels revealed significant differences; consequently, metabolic information derived from rat lens studies should be extrapolated to the human with caution.