title: Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy: a non-invasive probe of kidney metabolism and function.
abstract: Major advances in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic methods and technology have led to the increased use of this technique to study kidney metabolism and function. These studies include: (1) the identification of organic osmolytes in the renal medulla and their role as potential markers of medullary development and damage; (2) changes in renal epithelial cell organic solute transport, such as autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, and (3) the biochemical heterogeneity of the nephron and identification of markers of site-specific renal damage in experimental animals and man. The present review summarises these data with the aim of demonstrating how NMR can be used as an indirect, and non-invasive probe of homeostatic mechanisms in vivo and in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Urology and Nephrology, University College London Medical School, London, UK.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Foxall
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Nicholson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016764:Cell Polarity; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007424:Intracellular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D007668:Kidney / Q000293:injuries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D016891:Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant / Q000378:metabolism; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance