MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells grown in monolayer and as three-dimensional tumor spheroids present a different metabolic profile: A 1H NMR study

High resolution proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) spectroscopy was used to determine if the same cell line (MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells) grown in monolayer or as small (about 50-80 μm in diameter), three-dimensional tumor spheroids with no hypoxic center has different metabolic characteristics. Consequently, the ¹H NMR spectra were obtained from both types of cultures and then compared. The results indicate that the type of cellular spatial array determines specific changes in MG-63 cells. In particular, small but significant differences in lactate and alanine indicating a perturbation in energy metabolism were observed in the two cell models. In addition, although variations in CH ₂ and CH₃ groups were also seen, it is not possible at this time to establish if lipid metabolism is truly different in cells and spheroids.