title: Proton MRS of human prostatic fluid: correlations between citrate, spermine, and myo-inositol levels and changes with disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This is a study of the unusual small molecular components of human prostatic fluid using a non-destructive technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single pulse high resolution proton MRS of 38 human prostatic fluid samples (12 control, 10 with benign prostatic enlargement, 4 with prostatic cancer, 11 with vasal aplasia, and one with prostatodynia). Regression models for the metabolites measured were made and compared, and correlations were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A very strong correlation between the secretion of citrate and spermine (r = 0.94), two of the major components of prostatic fluid, was found. The molar ratio was 5:1 citrate: spermine. There was no difference seen between samples obtained by expression or ejaculation. The regression models suggest there is a significant difference (P < 0.02) in the citrate to spermine ratio in prostatic fluid from men with prostate cancer, with a relatively higher level of spermine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors speculate that citrate and spermine secretion is linked and may be forming a novel complex.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Urology and Nephrology, Birkbeck College, University of London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Lynch
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Nicholson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000378:metabolism*; D019343:Citric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007294:Inositol / Q000378:metabolism*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011467:Prostate / Q000378:metabolism*; D011469:Prostatic Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D011522:Protons; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013096:Spermine / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011522:Protons; D019343:Citric Acid; D013096:Spermine; D007294:Inositol