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Assessment of Gastric Emptying in Non-obese Diabetic Mice Using a [13C]-octanoic Acid Breath Test
Published on: March 23, 2013
Breath tests with (13)C substrates.
1Cambridge Isotope Laboratories Inc., Andover, MA, USA.
Journal of Breath Research
|March 10, 2011
Summary
Stable isotope (13)C breath tests offer non-invasive diagnostics for metabolic diseases and enzyme activity. Advancements aim for single-time-point collection, improving clinical integration and patient care.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical diagnostics
- Metabolic pathway analysis
- Pharmacokinetic studies
Background:
- Labeled isotope compounds, including (13)C, have been used for over 30 years in research for gastroenterology, hepatology, oncology, nutrition, and drug development.
- Current (13)C stable isotope diagnostic probes precisely evaluate metabolic changes due to disease or enzyme deficiencies.
- The (13)C label in a substrate releases (13)CO(2) upon interaction with a target enzyme, allowing indirect measurement of pharmacokinetics and enzyme activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in (13)C breath tests.
- To highlight the potential of (13)C breath tests as in vivo diagnostic tools.
- To discuss the expansion of (13)C stable isotope probes for precise metabolic evaluations.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing (13)C-labeled substrates designed for specific enzymes in metabolic pathways.
- Measuring (13)CO(2) released in expired breath after substrate ingestion.
- Analyzing breath samples to determine pharmacokinetics and enzyme activity.
Main Results:
- Traditional breath tests require multiple samples over extended periods, hindering clinical adoption.
- Area-under-the-curve (AUC) and percent-dose-recovery (PDR) parameters present barriers due to time constraints.
- Development of single time point (13)C breath tests is crucial for clinical integration.
Conclusions:
- Single time point (13)C breath tests need to be accurate, sensitive, and specific for routine clinical use.
- Diagnostic test companies must invest in developing and obtaining regulatory approval for these tests.
- Approved (13)C breath tests offer rapid, non-invasive diagnostics for enzyme deficiencies, disease monitoring, and personalized medicine, potentially lowering healthcare costs.
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