Is in vivo nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy currently a quantitative method for whole-body carbohydrate metabolism?
In vivo nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a powerful tool for noninvasive metabolic research. NMR studies of tissue glycogen metabolism and glucose utilization have generated results with major implications for normal glucose homeostasis and the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus. A key question for clinicians and physiologists reading these highly technical studies is: How accurate for whole-body carbohydrate metabolism is NMR spectroscopy? We review this topic and discuss technical, metabolic, and interpretive factors that may limit quantitative accuracy of this modality. We conclude that seeing is not yet believing regarding in vivo NMR spectroscopy; there are still important limitations to quantification of whole-body carbohydrate metabolism.
Murphy
E
E
Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, University of California at Berkeley, 94720-4104, USA.
Hellerstein
M
M
D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006003:Glycogen / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006946:Hyperinsulinism / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D009132:Muscles / Q000378:metabolism; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D006003:Glycogen