title: Phosphorus metabolites in human skin and muscle obtained by phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Characterization of skin phosphometabol-ism in vivo by non-invasive magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) might allow assessment of ischemic or irradiative damage.
  
  
  METHODS
  Based on a study of 17 healthy volunteers, we present statistical analyses for intra- and inter-tissue metabolite concentration ratios, as well as for pH and [Mg(2+) ].
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results contrasted steady-state energy metabolism in skin and muscle, showing lower phosphocreatine/ATP, higher percentage of inorganic phosphate, phosphodiesters and phos-phomonoesters, and higher pH and [Mg(2+) ] in skin than in muscle.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results were consistent with known skin physiology and structure and suggested an inverse relationship between skin phosphodiester levels and melanin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Bohning
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Spicer
keywords: human skin; metabolism; phosphorus spectroscopy