Stable isotopes of minerals as metabolic tracers in human nutrition research

Enriched stable isotopes used as tracers have proven to be valuable in studies of the absorption and metabolism of minerals. Unlike radioisotopes, they can be used in high-risk population groups such as infants, children, and pregnant or lactating women. Estimates of mineral absorption can be made from the oral administration of a single tracer or from two tracers, one given orally and the other intravenously (IV). It is possible to determine the metabolism of the mineral with modeling based on the amount of the tracer or tracers in different biological samples. One of the key decisions in studies of this type is determining which enriched isotope and what amount to use. An example is given of calculations to estimate and compare the amounts of tracers needed for an absorption study. Methods for calculating the amounts of tracer in oral and IV doses are presented, and limits of detection and quantitation are discussed in terms of percent of enrichment and related to isotope ratio measurement precision. A general review of the use of mass spectrometric instruments for quantifying various stable isotopes is given.