IN-VITRO PROTON NMR-SPECTROSCOPY OF EXTRACTS FROM HUMAN BREAST-TUMORSAND NONINVOLVED BREAST-TISSUE

Proton (H-1) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra were obtained fr om perchloric acid (PCA) extracts of 11 breast tumours and non-involve d breast tissue from 7 of the same patients. The spectra were correlat ed with histopathologic diagnosis. The tumour group consisted of 8 duc tal carcinomas, 1 ductal carcinoma with an extensive intraductal compo nent, 1 intraductal carcinoma and 1 fibroadenoma. Higher content of la ctate, succinate and phosphocholine and low levels of glucose and inos itol were characteristic findings in the tumour group as compared to n on-involved breast tissue. H-1 NMR spectra of PCA extracted breast spe cimens provide a comprehensive window into the metabolic activities of the tissue.