Determinants of water proton T₁ in blood serum

Water proton T₁ (10.7 MHz; 7°C) and albumin and globulin contents were measured in the blood serum of 30 normal volunteers. The T₁ relaxivity of serum albumin and globulin (i.e., the change of water relaxation rate l/T₁ per concentration unit) was determined in pure albumin and globulin solutions. It is shown that more than 90% of the serum relaxation rate 1/T_l is due to the proteins, making T₁ a nonspecific blood parameter. In addition five pathological serum samples were examined, explaining clearly why serum T₁is not a clinically useful measurement. © 1988 Academic Press, Inc.