H-1-NMR DETECTABLE FATTY ACYL-CHAIN UNSATURATION IN EXCISED LEIOMYOSARCOMA CORRELATE WITH GRADE AND MITOTIC-ACTIVITY

We report on the use of H-1-NMR two-dimensional total correlated spect roscopy (2D TOCSY) at 600 MHz for an ex vivo analysis of fatty acyl ch ain lipid in normal smooth muscle and a series of primary retroperiton eal leiomyosarcomas, These TOCSY spectra were used to identify and qua ntitate the methylene protons situated between unsaturated site proton s (D) to those bordered by only one unsaturated site proton (C). The D /C cross-peak volume ratios determined for oleic (18:1), linoleic (18: 2), linolenic (18:3), and arachidonic (20:4) acids were 0.0, 1.3, 2.7, and 4.0, respectively, suggesting that this ratio can be a measure of the degree of unsaturation for fatty acyl chains of lipids. The D/C c ross-peak volume ratio was found to be proportional to the mean mitoti c activity (r = 0.94) in nine smooth muscle tissues. These results sug gest, that for leiomyosarcoma, the degree of fatty acyl unsaturation m ay be an important determinant of the metastatic potential of these tu mors, Furthermore, application of TOCSY for the ex vivo study of smoot h muscle tumors would potentially serve as a pathologist-independent a nd quantitative method for assessment of leiomyosarcoma grade and mito tic activity thereby rendering a more accurate staging of patients.