23Na, 59Co and 2H NMR studies of experimental acute pancreatitis.

Multinuclear MR was applied to the study of experimental acute pancreatitis. A continuous increase, up to 700%, of total, NMR visible, sodium content was detected during the development of the disease through the edematous stage to necrosis. The effect of the elevation of sodium content is amplified by an increased 23Na NMR visibility during the disease. Interstitial and total water volume of pancreases were estimated using the distribution of Co(CN)3-(6) and D2O, by 59Co and 2H NMR, respectively. In healthy pancreases the interstitial compartment was found to comprise 35% of the tissue volume. In the diseased pancreases the penetration volume of Co(CN)3-(6) reached 90% of the total tissue volume, indicating extensive membrane injury. The time dependence of the 23Na NMR in the presence of the shift reagent Na7Dy(tripolyphosphate)2.3NaCl provided additional evidence of the increased permeability of the membranes in the diseased organs.