Dietary fat modulation of murine mammary tumor metabolism studied by in vivo 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

The effect of dietary fat concentration and saturation on high energy phosphate metabolites and phospholipid turnover in transplanted line 168 murine mammary tumors was studied using surface coil 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Female BALB/c mice were fed one of five diets each containing at least the minimum of essential fatty acids (EFA). Four diets contained additional safflower or palm oil for a total fat concentration of 5 or 20% by weight. The growth rate of tumors from mice fed the high safflower oil diet was significantly greater than the growth rate of tumors for mice fed all other diets including the one which contained the minimal EFA. 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance-observable phosphate metabolite ratios. ATP/Pi, ATP/phosphomonoester (ATP/PME), and PME/Pi, and tumor pH of line 168 tumors decreased with increasing tumor volume, indicating a shift from active to inactive tumor metabolism. The rates of those decreases with progressive tumor growth differed significantly among tumors of mice fed the different diets. Decreases in ATP/Pi, ATP/PME, and pH were the most rapid in the tumors of mice fed the high safflower oil diet and significantly faster than tumors of mice fed the diet containing minimum EFA. In addition, the decrease in the PME/Pi ratio of tumors was significantly greater in mice fed the high fat (high palm oil and high safflower oil) diets than mice fed the diet containing the minimum of EFA. The rate of decline of ATP/Pi and ATP/PME with progressive tumor growth was directly correlated with levels of linoleic acid as well as total unsaturated fat. High levels of a polyunsaturated fat had a significant effect on mammary tumor metabolism particularly during early stages of tumor growth. Differences in high energy phosphate metabolite dynamics relative to dietary fat were present in tumors of equal volume. Thus, dietary fat influences on mammary tumorigenesis may be related to high energy phosphate metabolites.     

Loss of high-energy phosphate following hyperthermia demonstrated by in vivo 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

We have used in vivo 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to study the changes in high-energy phosphates following hyperthermia. Immediately after heating, there is a fall in adenosine triphosphate and apparent intracellular pH and an increase in inorganic phosphate. Following sublethal heating (40 degrees for 15 min), these changes were partial, and they resolved over the subsequent 45 hr. With tumors given severe hyperthermia (47 degrees for 15 min), there was complete disappearance of adenosine triphosphate, with no recovery by 24 hr posttreatment. Qualitatively similar effects were seen after heating of normal leg muscle. The degree of fall of the adenosine triphosphate/inorganic phosphate concentration ratio was directly proportional to the heat dose and to thermal cell kill. 31P-Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy may be useful in thermal dosimetry and treatment evaluation following hyperthermia.     

Phosphorus-31 metabolism of post-menopausal breast cancer studied in vivo by magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

We have studied the metabolism of 31P-containing metabolites of post-menopausal breast cancers in vivo using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and a 5.5 cm surface coil. Spectra were acquired from 23 diameter. The spectra of the 19 previously untreated tumours had significantly higher phosphomonoester (PME) 31P relative peak areas than the normal breasts of eight post-menopausal women (11.7% and 7.7% respectively, P = 0.002). Although an increased PME relative peak area was characteristic of malignancy, PME relative peak area is similarly raised in lactating breast and, therefore, not a specific feature of cancer. An apparently lower nucleotide triphosphate (NTP) relative peak area in tumours than healthy postmenopausal breast was secondary to the differences in PME relative peak area; contamination by signal from chest wall muscle probably accounts for the ostensibly higher phosphocreatine (PCr) relative peak area of the tumours. Spectroscopy was repeated following chemotherapy in six women. An increase in PCr relative peak area was seen in all five patients who responded, but again this may represent increased contamination secondary to changes in tumour size. A fall in PME relative peak area was noted in four responders, but also one non-responder, so this finding may not be sufficiently specific to be of use clinically. Further studies are need to elucidate fully the role of MRS in breast cancer.     

31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies of the response of rat mammary tumors to endocrine therapy

We have used 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to detect the metabolic changes that occur in estrogen-sensitive, N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced rat mammary tumors as they regress following ovariectomy. In untreated animals the spectra of the tumors showed a steady loss of high energy phosphates (phosphocreatine and nucleoside triphosphates) and an increase in inorganic phosphate. This was reversed after ovariectomy. Spectral changes occurred before detectable regression of the tumor. Estrogen-insensitive tumors, grown from implanted Rama 600 and 622 cells, did not regress in response to ovariectomy, and their high energy phosphates continued to fall; estrogen-sensitive tumors also failed to respond to sham ovariectomy. These effects are probably due to the reduction in cellular energy requirements that occurs when the hormonal stimulus to growth is removed. Because the nuclear magnetic resonance method is noninvasive, this technique should be applicable clinically as a means of predicting the response of a tumor to endocrine therapy.     

In vivo 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance study of the response of a murine mammary tumor to different doses of gamma-radiation

The response of the s.c. implanted murine mammary carcinoma NU-82 to 10 and 20 Gy of gamma-radiation was followed by in vivo 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy on 48 mice during a period of 2 days. During the first 8 h after a dose of 10 Gy, the ratio of ATP/inorganic phosphate increases to a value of 120 +/- 15% (SE) of the control value. This rise is followed by a decrease of the ratio to 74 +/- 12% after 47 h. However treatment with 20 Gy causes the ratio of ATP/Pi to decrease gradually to a level of 45 +/- 7% after 47 h. Histological investigations demonstrated that radiation-induced necrosis largely contributes to this phenomenon. During the time of observation irradiated tumors displayed no changes in size and intracellular pH. After treatment with 10 Gy as well as with 20 Gy, the phosphodiester resonance decreased in intensity. By 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy on extracts of the NU-82 tumor, two phosphodiesters were identified, glycerophosphocholine and glycerophosphoethanolamine.     

Effects of oxygen on the metabolism of murine tumors using in vivo phosphorus-31 NMR

The effect of 100% inspired oxygen on in vivo tumor metabolism was examined using phosphorus-31 (31P) NMR spectroscopy. Isotransplants of two murine tumor histologies, designated MCaIV (C3H mammary adenocarcinoma) and FSaII (C3H fibrosarcoma), were used in syngeneic mice. Tumor volumes ranged from 30 to 1,800 mm3. Both tumor histologies are known to have a high hypoxic cell fraction when tumor volumes exceed 250 mm3. 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra were obtained at 145.587 MHz, and the signal was detected using a 1.4 cm diameter, single loop coil designed to localize the signal from only the tumor. Spectral parameters for optimal signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) included a 60 degrees pulse and a 2-second recycle delay. Tumors were implanted in the hindfoot dorsum to assure that all detected mobile phosphates were of tumor origin. Phosphocreatine/inorganic phosphate (PCr/Pi) ratios of large tumors (greater than 250 mm3) were reduced compared with small tumors (less than 250 mm3) of the same histology. The increased PCr/Pi response to 100% inspired oxygen was greater for large tumors and for tumors with lower baseline PCr/Pi ratios. When host animals were given 10% oxygen for respiration, there was an increase in Pi and a decrease in both PCr and ATP. The response to 10% oxygen was observed in both large and small tumors of both tumor histologies studied. Resting skeletal muscle exhibited no alteration in the NMR spectrum during either 100 or 10% oxygen breathing. We conclude that the fractional increase in PCr/Pi ratio that occurs after 100% oxygen breathing is a sensitive, noninvasive method of detecting tumor hypoxia.     

31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in vivo of six human melanoma xenograft lines: tumour bioenergetic status and blood supply.

Six human melanoma xenograft lines grown s.c. in BALB/c-nu/nu mice were subjected to 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance (31P-NMR) spectroscopy in vivo. The following resonances were detected: phosphomonoesters (PME), inorganic phosphate (Pi), phosphodiesters (PDE), phosphocreatine (PCr) and nucleoside triphosphate gamma, alpha and beta (NTP gamma, alpha and beta). The main purpose of the work was to search for possible relationships between 31P-NMR resonance ratios and tumour pH on the one hand and blood supply per viable tumour cell on the other. The latter parameter was measured by using the 86Rb uptake method. Tumour bioenergetic status [the (PCr + NTP beta)/Pi resonance ratio], tumour pH and blood supply per viable tumour cell decreased with increasing tumour volume for five of the six xenograft lines. The decrease in tumour bioenergetic status was due to a decrease in the (PCr + NTP beta)/total resonance ratio as well as an increase in the Pi/total resonance ratio. The decrease in the (PCr + NTP beta)/total resonance ratio was mainly a consequence of a decrease in the PCr/total resonance ratio for two lines and mainly a consequence of a decrease in the NTP beta/total resonance ratio for three lines. The magnitude of the decrease in the (PCr + NTP beta)/total resonance ratio and the magnitude of the decrease in tumour pH were correlated to the magnitude of the decrease in blood supply per viable tumour cell. Tumour pH decreased with decreasing tumour bioenergetic status, and the magnitude of this decrease was larger for the tumour lines showing a high than for those showing a low blood supply per viable tumour cell. No correlations across the tumour lines were found between tumour pH and tumour bioenergetic status or any other resonance ratio on the one hand and blood supply per viable tumour cell on the other. The differences in the 31P-NMR spectrum between the tumour lines were probably caused by differences in the intrinsic biochemical properties of the tumour cells rather than by the differences in blood supply per viable tumour cell. Biochemical properties of particular importance included rate of respiration, glycolytic capacity and tolerance to hypoxic stress. On the other hand, tumour bioenergetic status and tumour pH were correlated to blood supply per viable tumour cell within individual tumour lines. These observations suggest that 31P-NMR spectroscopy may be developed to be a clinically useful method for monitoring tumour blood supply and parameters related to tumour blood supply during and after physiological intervention and tumour treatment. However, clinically useful parameters for prediction of tumour treatment resistance caused by insufficient blood supply can probably not be derived from a single 31P-NMR spectrum since correlations across tumour lines were not detected; additional information is needed.     

Response-specific adriamycin sensitivity markers provided by in vivo 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in murine mammary adenocarcinomas

The in vivo phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of Adriamycin (ADR)-sensitive murine mammary adenocarcinomas (17/A) and an ADR-resistant subline of this tumor which has been isolated in vivo (17/A/ADR) were compared both before and after i.v. administration of 12 mg/kg ADR. Significant differences between ADR-sensitive and -resistant tumors for the changes observed 1 day after treatment (prior to significant decreases in tumor size) included: the pH increased to greater than 7.3 in response to treatment (or pH remained elevated) in ADR-sensitive tumors only; the inorganic phosphate to nucleoside triphosphates peak height ratio decreased to less than 1 in response to treatment only in ADR-sensitive tumors; glycerophosphocholine to nucleoside triphosphates peak height ratio decreased in response to treatment in ADR-sensitive tumors only; and the phosphocholine to nucleoside triphosphates peak height ratio decreased in response to treatment in ADR-sensitive tumors only. These differences are evidence in support of the hypothesis that in vivo 31P-NMR provides response-specific markers of ADR sensitivity. Because 31P-NMR can be applied to humans, these differences may be of prognostic value in the clinical management of human breast cancer if they are present after treatment with lower, nontoxic doses of ADR.     

Response of solid tumors to chemotherapy monitored by in vivo 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy: a review

In vivo 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy has shown great promise as a tool for cancer research and the clinical management of solid tumors. It is now possible in some cases to integrate MR spectroscopy with routine MR imaging of the cancer patient, so that tissue identified as tumor on an MR image can be examined biochemically and monitored following treatment. Alterations have been observed in the phosphorus MR spectra of patient tumors after treatment, but the causes and consequences of these alterations are poorly understood. Here we review data obtained from experimental animal tumor models treated with chemotherapy in order to gain insight into the biological events reflected in MR spectroscopic changes, and to determine what information the spectra provide about the success or failure of therapeutic interventions. An attempt is made to relate these experimental findings to the cancer clinic and to analyze the contributions of MR spectroscopy to the understanding of tumor biology.     

The response of spontaneous and transplantable murine tumors to vasoactive agents measured by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy has been used to compare the effects of the vasoactive agents hydralazine and flunarizine on the oxygenation of the transplantable tumors, SCCVII/Ha and 16C, and a range of spontaneous mammary tumors arising in the breeding stock in the Genetics Division at the Radiobiology Unit. The vasodilator hydralazine, previously shown to increase the radiobiological hypoxic fraction of transplantable murine tumors, increased inorganic phosphate to total phosphate (Pi/total) in SCCVII/Ha and 16C tumors. However, only two spontaneous tumors responded to this agent (2/12). The calcium antagonist flunarizine, which sensitizes the SCCVII tumor to X rays, consistent with a reduction in hypoxic fraction, reduced Pi/total in this and the 16C tumor. Further, most spontaneous tumors tested (8/10) responded to this agent, as measured by a reduction in Pi/total. These results point to fundamental differences between transplantable and spontaneously arising tumors in mice in their response to vasoactive agents.     

Use of high-resolution 31P-labeled topical magnetic resonance spectroscopy to monitor in vivo tumor metabolism in rats

A probe using a single-tuned solenoid coil has been constructed to study in vivo metabolism of rats in a wide-bore Bruker nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer. Transplantable rat mammary adenocarcinomas (estrogen receptor negative) were implanted into the hind leg muscle of 8-week-old rats. The other leg without tumor was used as a control. Tumor metabolism could be distinguished from that of surrounding muscle by the appearance of inorganic phosphate and sugar phosphate resonances, reflecting tissue necrosis, and increased glycolysis. Tumor growth was accompanied by an increase in the size of these peaks, and the chemical shifts of the inorganic phosphate peak indicated that the intracellular pH became more acidic. Administration of methotrexate (i.v.) reversed these patterns and decreased tumor volume. Changes in the phosphocreatine peaks indicated changes in tumor volume rather than in tumor metabolism. These studies show that topical magnetic resonance not only can monitor the growth of tumors in vivo but can be also used to evaluate the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs.     

31P-nuclear magnetic resonance studies of the effect of recombinant human interleukin 1 alpha on the bioenergetics of RIF-1 tumors

The effect of a single injection of human recombinant interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) on s.c. RIF-1 tumors in mice was studied by in vivo 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Spectra were obtained before and up to 24 h after IL-1 alpha. At 2, 4, 6, and 8 h after IL-1 alpha injection, RIF-1 tumors exhibited a reduction in bioenergetic status compared to untreated controls. The Pi to beta-nucleoside triphosphate and the phosphomonoester to beta-nucleoside triphosphate ratios increased, while the phosphocreatine to Pi and phosphodiester to phosphomonoester ratios decreased. Tumor blood flow, estimated by 86RbCl uptake, decreased within 30 min after IL-1 alpha treatment. Minimum perfusion was detected at 4 h, with recovery between 6 and 12 h after IL-1 alpha treatment. Histological sections of the RIF-1 tumors revealed intravascular congestion by 2 h, extravascular hemorrhage by 4 h, and necrosis by 12 h after treatment with IL-1 alpha. The time course of bioenergetic changes in RIF-1 tumors determined by 31P-NMR spectroscopy was found to parallel the reduction and subsequent recovery of tumor blood flow.     

19F magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies of the metabolism of 5-fluorouracil in murine RIF-1 tumors and liver

The metabolism of 5-fluorouracil (5FU) in tumors and livers of RIF-1 tumor-bearing C3H mice given i.p. injections of 5FU was serially monitored by 19F magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The levels of 5FU and fluoronucleotide detected in the tumors after a dose of 130 mg/kg (n = 13) were less than one-third of those after 260-mg/kg 5FU (n = 14). During the days after these doses, tumor size decreased by 24 +/- 3 and 52 +/- 6 SEM%, respectively. A second 130-mg/kg dose, given at day 7 after the first 130-mg/kg dose, resulted in still lower tumor fluorine levels and little change in tumor size. There was a significant correlation between the magnetic resonance spectroscopy-detected fluoronucleotide levels and the shrinkage of tumors after the 260-mg/kg dose (r = 0.44; P = 0.024). In mouse liver, the degradation of 5FU to alpha-fluoro-beta-ureidoprobionic acid and alpha-fluoro-beta-alanine after the 260-mg dose (n = 13) was slower than after a dose of 130 mg/kg (n = 14). For the respective doses, the half-life of 5FU was 59 +/- 7 versus 28 +/- 2 SEM min (P less than 0.0001). There was a negative correlation between the levels of 5FU catabolite (alpha-fluoro-beta-ureidoprobionic acid and alpha-fluoro-beta-alanine) in liver and fluoronucleotide in tumor (r = -0.80; P = 0.0020), which indicates that the degradation in liver and the activation of 5FU in tumor are competing processes.     

Early radiation effects in highly apoptotic murine lymphoma xenografts monitored by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Purpose: Phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectra (³¹P-MRS) were obtained from highly apoptotic murine lymphoma xenografts before and up to 24 hr following graded doses of radiation ranging from 2 to 30 Gy. Radiation-induced apoptosis was also estimated up to 24 hr by scoring apoptotic cells in tumor tissue.Methods and Materials: Highly apoptotic murine lymphoma cells, EL4, were subcutaneously transplanted into C57/BL mice. At 7 days after transplantation, radiation was given to the tumor with a single dose at 3, 10, and 30 Gy. The β-ATP/Pi, PME/Pi, and β-ATP/PME values were calculated from the peak area of each spectrum. Radiation-induced apoptosis was scored with counting apoptotic cells on hematoxylin and eosin stained specimens (%apoptosis).Results: The values of % apoptosis 4, 8, and 24 hr after radiation were 21.8, 19.6, and 4.6% at 3 Gy, 35.1, 25.6, and 14.8% at 10 Gy, 38.4, 38.0, and 30.6% at 30 Gy, respectively (cf. 4.4% in control). There was no correlation between early change in β-ATP/Pi and % apoptosis at 4 hr after radiation when most of the apoptosis occurred. An early decrease in PME/Pi was observed at 4 hr after radiation dose at 30 Gy. For each dose, the values of β-ATP/Pi 24 hr after radiation were inversely related to radiation dose.Conclusion: The increase in β-ATP/Pi observed by ³¹P-MRS was linked to the degree of histological recovery from radiation-induced apoptosis.     

Different energy metabolism in two human small cell lung cancer subpopulations examined by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy and biochemical analysis in vivo and in vitro.

Two human small cell lung cancer tumor lines, maintained as solid tumor xenografts on nude mice and as in vitro cell cultures, were studied by in vivo 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy and by biochemical analysis of extracts of solid tumors and cell cultures. The tumor lines CPH SCCL 54A and CPH SCCL 54B are subpopulations from the same tumor. In solid tumors (n = 125), the ATP/Pi ratio was greater in 54A than in 54B. This was due to a higher ATP level in 54A, whereas there was no difference in Pi, ADP, and AMP. A decrease in ATP/Pi during growth was caused by a decline in ATP, whereas Pi remained unchanged. Small amounts of phosphocreatine were found in the xenografts and in tumor extracts, but not in the cell extracts; correspondingly, there was a low creatine kinase activity in solid tumors and no activity in the cell cultures. Thus, the phosphocreatine content of the solid tumors originated from the stroma. A difference in ATP content between 54A and 54B was also found in cell cultures; hence, the metabolic difference is an intrinsic quality of the malignant cells and is not caused by the host system.     

The measurement of radiosensitizer-induced changes in mouse tumor metabolism by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Flunarizine and nicotinamide have previously been shown to increase blood perfusion to experimental mouse tumors and consequently, to increase their sensitivity to X rays. These agents were examined for their ability to alter metabolism, measured by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy, in the SCCVII/Ha carcinoma and the KHT sarcoma. Flunarizine at 5 mg/kg I.P. produced a 45% reduction in the ratio of inorganic phosphate to total phosphate (Pi/total) in the SCCVII/Ha tumor but only a 24% reduction in this ratio in the KHT tumor. These effects were seen 45 min after drug administration, and ratios returned to control levels by 90 min. In the SCCVII/Ha tumor, nicotinamide at 1000 mg/kg I.P. reduced Pi/total by 56% from 30 min to at least 2 hr after injection, and the ratio was reduced by 59% in the KHT tumor at 30 min after injection, returning to control levels by 2 hr. For the SCCVII/Ha tumor, the time course for the effects of flunarizine and nicotinamide on the inorganic phosphate ratio coincided with that previously reported for radiosensitization.     

31P-nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of interferon-induced alterations of phospholipid metabolites in interferon-sensitive and interferon-resistant Friend leukemia cell tumors in mice

Adult DBA/2 mice were given injections s.c. with either interferon-sensitive (745) or -resistant (3Cl-8) Friend erythroleukemia cells (FLC). After tumor nodules had developed, mouse interferon-alpha/beta was injected daily into the tumor. 31P-Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy examinations were undertaken on freshly dissected tumors at different days of treatment with either interferon or control preparations. Analysis of 745 FLC tumors in untreated mice at different days of tumor growth (day 8 to 13 after tumor implantation) showed marked increases in the levels of phosphorylcholine (PCho), glycerophosphorylethanolamine (GroPEtn) and glycerophosphorylcholine (GroPCho). In contrast high levels of PCho, GroPEtn and GroPCho were already detectable in the 3Cl-8 FLC tumors on day 8, and no significant changes were observed during subsequent tumor growth. The intracellular pH value remained practically constant in both FLC tumors. Daily intratumoral administration of either partially purified (10(7) IU/mg of protein) or highly purified (10(9) IU/mg of protein) mouse interferon-alpha/beta to both cell tumors resulted in decreases in the levels of PCho, GroPEtn and GroPCho and in increases in the intracellular pH with respect to tumors treated with control preparations or left untreated. Two days of daily treatment of mice with interferon sufficed to induce these metabolic changes which preceded the appearance of necrosis in the tumors. Treatment of FLC tumors with X-rays on day 12 of tumor growth did not result in any comparable metabolic changes 2 days after irradiation. Changes in the levels of phospholipid metabolites were not observed when 745 or 3Cl-8 cells were cultivated in the presence of interferon. As interferon induced these changes in both interferon-sensitive and -resistant tumors we conclude that interferon treatment results in host-mediated effects on the biosynthesis and/or catabolism of tumor cell phospholipids.     

环磷酰胺治疗小鼠S180肉瘤的体内31P磁共振波谱研究

目的 观察环磷酰治疗小鼠Ｓ１８０肉瘤的＾３１ＰＭＲＳ参数变化,以及这些参数的变化是否早于常规观察的瘤体积变化。方法 利用表面线圈＾３１ＰＮＭＲ方法,并研究了小鼠皮下接种Ｓ１８０肉瘤的体积。结果：对照组的ＰＣｒ／Ｐｉ和＋β－ＮＴＰ／Ｐｉ比值降低,而环磷酰胺给药组升高,且给药后２４,４８,７２ｈ时显著高于对照组（Ｐ〈０．０５）,对照组的ＰＭＥ／β－ＮＴＰ比值继续升高,而给药组ＰＭＥ／β－ＮＴＰ比值在给     

Effect of VIP on the glycogen metabolism of human colon adenocarcinoma cells studied by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Metabolic pathways of glucose utilization have been investigated in a human colon adenocarcinoma cell line (HT29) using carbon-13 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy. HT29 cells were adapted to grow on a polystyrene beaded microcarrier and were perfused when attached to the beads in a specially designed NMR cell. Abnormalities in carbohydrate metabolism already observed in several cancer cells were studied in HT29 cells fed with (1-13C)-enriched glucose. The cells were first perfused with a glucose-free medium for 2 h in order to deplete the intracellular store of glycogen, and they were subsequently perfused with a medium containing enriched glucose at an initial concentration of 5.5 mM. Sequential 13C-NMR spectra, recorded at 100.5 MHz (5 min accumulation), show that HT29 cells were able to utilize glucose through the glycolytic pathway while storing glucose as glycogen (glucose was utilized at a rate of 3.9 mumol/mg protein/hr). The glycolytic activity determined by the amount of lactic acid produced was 4.6 microns/mg protein/hr, corresponding to the formation of 1.2 lactic acid per glucose molecule. Glycogen accumulation corresponded to 16 micrograms/mg of protein. Treatment of HT29 with 10 nM vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) induced a transient decrease in the level of labelled glycogen to 50% of the initial value. Control level was recovered 12 min after VIP loading.