Total and structured water in cancer: An NMR experimental study of serum and tissues in DMBA-induced OF1 mice

Total water and Structured water (fraction of total water which remains unf rozen below the transition point from the semisolid to solid state) were ch aracterized by H-1 NMR relaxometry in the sera and tissues of 3 groups of 3 0 female mice (C, H and L) receiving a single administration of DMBA and di fferent diets. Mice given the diet H, containing the highest proportion of saturated fatty acids and processed starch, and the lowest phytochemicals c ontent, presented the highest tumor incidence (lymphoma). This allowed 3 su bgroups to be defined: subnormal (SN), small (T+) and large tumor (T++). Sp in-lattice relaxation times of total water (Tlobs) in the sera and tissues did not significantly differ between C, H and L groups, and SN, T+ and T+subgroups. In T+ mice, a decrease in the relative amount of structured wate r was noticed in the serum, liver and heart, while changes in the temperatu re dependence of the T1 of structured water (T1sw) were observed between -2 1 degreesC and -42 degreesC. These results suggest a moderate increase in t he rotational mobility of structured water molecules in the serum and the h eart, and a pronounced decrease in the liver. Likewise, the modification of the T1sw temperature dependence curve's shape tends to confirm the existen ce of important conformational changes in the macromolecular assemblies, wh ich markedly affect the properties of structured water, especially in the e arliest stage of cancer development.