Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of excised rat brain. Assignment of resonances.

We have recorded 1H NMR spectra of excised rat brain at 361 MHz using two different water suppression pulse sequences. The assignment of the resonances has been carried out in perchloric acid extracts and subcellular fractions. Our results show that cytosolic proteins, membrane phospholipids and 16 different metabolites contribute to the observed spectra. The new resonances assigned allow the direct observation of myo-inositol and urea. Moreover, changes in the spectral pattern upon anesthesia, ischemic exposure of the brain and age of the rat have been recorded and correlated with the compounds producing the spectra.