KINETICS OF H-1-]P-31 CROSS-POLARIZATION IN HUMAN TRABECULAR BONE

Bloch-decay and cross-polarization (CP) P-31 nuclear magnetic resonanc e (NMR) spectra of healthy human trabecular bone were acquired under m agic-angle spinning (MAS) at 3 kHz. A single peak at 3.1 ppm was detec ted. Variable-contact time H-1 --> P-31 CP experiments revealed three signal components growing at various rates. The fast, moderate and slo w components were assigned and assessed in P atom % to proton-rich (24 %). hydroxyapatite (58%) and proton-deficient (18%) phosphate domains, respectively. Examination of CP kinetics is useful for the chemical c haracterization of bone tissue. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.