Applications of stable isotopes in biomedical sciences
González, A.; Monreal, I.; Mugueta, C.; Parra, D.; Fernández, F.J.; Riaño, M.
Revista de Medicina de la Universidad de Navarra 42(2): 69-76
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0556-6177 PMID: 10420942 Document Number: 492295
The employment of stable isotopes technology allows to perform a wide range of studies in vivo avoiding the utilisation of radioactive isotopes. As stable isotopes naturally occur in nature, the technique detects the enrichment in breath air of the tracer administered. Stable isotopes technology is increasingly being used in biomedical investigation due to the security of its use and the development and availability of new substrates. Breath tests such 13C-urea in the detection of Helicobacter pylori and 13C-octanoic acid for gastric emptying are the most important clinical applications.