NMR studies of Pi-containing extracellular and cytoplasmic compartments in brain

The inorganic phosphate (Pi) NMR peak in brain has an irregular shape, which suggests that it represents more than a single homogeneous pool of Pi. To test the ability of the Marquardt-Levenberg (M-L) nonlinear curve fit algorithm software (Peak-Fit) to separate multiple peaks, locate peak centers, and estimate peak heights, we studied simulated Pi spectra with defined peak centers, areas, and signal-to-noise (S/N) ratios ranging from infinity to 5.8. As the S/N ratio decreased below 15, the M-L algorithm located peak centers accurately when they were detected; however, small peaks tended to grow smaller and disappear, whereas the amplitudes of larger peaks increased. We developed an in vitro three-compartment model containing a mixture of Pi buffer, phosphocreatine, phosphate diester, and phosphate monoester (PME), portions of which were adjusted to three different pHs before addition of agar. Weighed samples of each buffered gel together with phospholipid extract and bone chips were placed in an NMR tube and covered with mineral oil. Following baseline correction, it was possible to separate the Pi peaks arising from the three compartments with different pH values if each peak made up 10-35% of total Pi area. In vivo, we identified the plasma compartment by intraarterial infusion of Pi. It was assumed that intracellular compartments contained high-energy phosphates and took up glucose. Based on these assumptions we subjected the brains to complete ischemia and observed that Pi compartments at pH 6.82, 6.92, 7.03, and 7.13 increased markedly in amplitude. If the brain cells took up and phosphorylated 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG), 2-DG-6-phosphate (2-DG-6-P) would appear in the PME portion of the spectrum ionized according to pH. Four 2-DG-6-P peaks with calculated pH values of 6.86, 6.94, 7.04, and 7.15 did appear in the spectrum, thereby confirming that the four larger Pi peaks represented intracellular spaces.