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Reversible and irreversible effects of chemical fixation on the NMR properties of single cells
Author(s) -
Purea Armin,
Webb Andrew G.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
magnetic resonance in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.696
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1522-2594
pISSN - 0740-3194
DOI - 10.1002/mrm.21018
Subject(s) - fixation (population genetics) , chemistry , xenopus , biophysics , cytoplasm , membrane , nuclear magnetic resonance , biology , biochemistry , gene , physics
Abstract The effects of chemical fixation are known to alter MR parameters, such as relaxation times and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of water. It is often assumed that such changes are reversible after samples have been reimmersed in a buffer solution for a sufficient period of time. In this study we characterize the changes associated with fixation of single Xenopus laevis oocytes and their subsequent reimmersion in buffer. Substantial reductions in both T 1 and T 2 values were measured for all compartments of the cell after fixation, with the cytoplasm showing larger changes than the nucleus. After reimmersion in buffer, there were small but statistically significant differences in MR parameters between fresh and reimmersed cells. Experiments with a gadolinium (Gd) contrast agent showed evidence of irreversible changes in the permeability of cellular membranes to small molecules. Magn Reson Med, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.