pH calibration curve at 1.5 Tesla

Abstract

The significance of pH as an indicator of the intracellular environment is well established and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy provides a non-invasive means of measuring pH (Gadian et al., 1979). The derivation of a pH calibration curve to be used with a whole body system for in vivo studies of pH is described. Different standard reference samples are considered, both internal and external, and the advantages of using an internal reference are established. It is concluded that PCr is the most suitable reference sample for this study, because it may be used dissolved in the solutions and because of its very narrow peak. Bo inhomogeneity and local susceptibility effects are thus minimised, and the experimental arrangement more closely resembles the in vivo situation.