Cation Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). 7Li- and 23Na-NMR Results Obtained with Human Erythrocytes

Authors

Jan F. M. Post, University of Pittsburgh

Abstract

A short discussion of practical results and theoretical aspects of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) on intracellular monovalent cations is presented. ⁷Li- and ²³Na-NMR relaxation studies on human erythrocytes are described which indicate that lithium and sodium ions are essentially free inside the cell. However, there is a contribution to transverse relaxation originating from cations diffusing through electric field gradients imposed by the cytoskeleton, which is reflected in the NMR line shape. ³⁹K-NMR results obtained by other authors for intracellular potassium are compared with the ⁷Li- and ²³Na-NMR results presented here. The few ³⁹K-NMR results obtained so far do not suggest that significant differences in dynamic behavior exist between intracellular potassium and sodium. ³⁹K-NMR studies will, in the future, certainly enhance our understanding of the intracellular state of potassium ions.

Recommended Citation

Post, Jan F. M. (1989) "Cation Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). 7Li- and 23Na-NMR Results Obtained with Human Erythrocytes," Scanning Microscopy: Vol. 3: No. 3, Article 19.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/microscopy/vol3/iss3/19