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W e report on the use of 1H-NMR two-dimensional total correlated spectroscopy (2D TOCSY) at 600 MHz for an ex vivo analysis of fatty acyl chain lipid in normal smooth muscle and a series of primary retroperitoneal leiomyosarcomas. These TOCSY spectra were used to identify and quantitate the methylene protons situated between unsaturated site protons (D) to those bordered by only one unsaturated site proton (C). The D/C cross-peak volume ratios determined for oleic (18:1), linoleic (18:2), linolenic (18:3), and arachidonic (20:4) acids were 0.0, 1.3, 2.7, and 4.0, respectively, suggesting that this ratio can be a measure of the degree of unsaturation for fatty acyl chains of lipids. The D/C cross-peak volume ratio was found to be proportional to the mean mitotic activity (r = 0.94) in nine smooth muscle tissues. These results suggest, that for leiomyosarcoma, the degree of fatty acyl unsaturation may be an important determinant of the metastatic potential of these tumors. Furthermore, application of TOCSY for the ex vivo study of smooth muscle tumors would potentially serve as a pathologist-independent and quantitative method for assessment of leiomyosarcoma grade and mitotic activity thereby rendering a more accurate staging of patients.