Analysis of the first international data bank on in vitro NMR relaxation times: animal liver.

Based on an international "Interlaboratory Comparison of Protocol Trials for In Vitro Studies by NMR," the EEC COMAC-BME concerted action on "Identification and Characterization of Biological Tissue by NMR" started collection of a data bank for in vitro relaxation time data of normal and pathological tissues. Relaxation time measurements were performed in a frequency range from 10-90 MHz and in a temperature range from 3 to 40 degrees C; data analysis was done using single exponential fitting routines. Specimens were taken from different organs or tissues (n = 19) of various species (n = 5) and both sexes. More than 900 relaxation time data from 12 participating groups were collected. However, for quantitative analysis we concentrated on liver tissue (287 entries). Main results are the high reproducibility of data from different centers, allowing quantification of temperature dependence of T1 and T2, respectively, in fresh mouse (3.9 and 0.41 msec/degrees C), rat (2.1 and 0.24 msec/degrees C), and hamster (2.6 and 0.22 msec/degrees C) liver. Further, a highly significant species difference between mouse and rat liver, not depending on water content, has been established. We discuss results quantitatively as well as consequences for in vitro protocols and future multicenter data collection.