Analysis of diabetic cataractogenesis using chemical-shift nuclear magnetic resonance microscopy.

We here report the analysis of single rabbit lenses under high-glucose stress using four-dimensional 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy (three spatial and one chemical-shift). We have produced spatial maps of lenticular metabolites (glucose, sorbitol, and lactate) with submillimeter in-plane resolution. The production of sorbitol and its inhibition are also presented. This is the first study to report regional tissue metabolism. We expect further improvements in spatial resolution and acquisition times that will enable localized kinetic studies in intact tissues.