[In vivo 31P-NMR studies on energy metabolism and the effect of methotrexate in murine implanted osteosarcoma].

The energy metabolism of Dunn osteosarcoma subcutaneously implanted in C3H/He mice was studied in vivo by a 31P-NMR spectrometer with surface-coils. The spectra of Dunn osteosarcoma showed peaks of sugar phosphate, inorganic phosphate, phosphocreatine, phosphomonoester, and ATPs. In the early stage of the tumor growth phosphocreatine and ATP showed large signal intensities and the tissue pH was 7.23 +/- 0.08. Following the tumor growth phosphocreatine and ATP decreased and the tissue pH fell to 6.82 +/- 0.08. Immediately after a small dose of MTX (2 mg/kg) was administered, an increase of inorganic phosphate and a decrease of phosphocreatine were temporarily observed when MTX concentrations of the tumor tissues were maximum. High energy metabolites were apparently consumed with the active transport of MTX. After twelve hours of a high dose of MTX (500 mg/kg) was administered, disappearance of phosphocreatine and ATP with an increase of inorganic phosphate was observed previous to the histological change. In vivo 31P-NMR spectroscopy may be useful in the evaluation of chemotherapy.