H-1 NMR analysis for metabolites in serum and urine from rats administrated chronically with La(NO3)(3)

H-1 NMR spectroscopy has been used to assess long-term toxicological effects of a rare earth. Male Wistar rats were administrated orally with La(NO3)(3) at doses of 0.1, 0.2, 2.0, 10, and 20 mg/kg body wt, resp., for 3-6 months. Urine was collected at 1, 2, and 3 months and serum samples were taken after 6 months. Numerous low-M-r metabolites in rats serum and rats urine, including creatinine, citrate, glucose, ketone bodies, trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), and various amino acids, were identified on 400- and 500-MHz H-1 NMR spectra. La3+-induced renal and liver damage is characterized by an increase in the amounts of the excreted ketone bodies, amino acids, lactate, ethanol, succinate, TMAO, dimethylamine, and taurine and a decrease in citrate, glucose, urea, and allantoin. Information on the molecular basis of the long-term toxicity of La(NO3)(3) was derived from the abnormal patterns of metabolite excretions. An assay of some biochemical indexes and analysis of some enzymes in plasma supported NMR results.