Uses of Stable Isotopes in Clinical Diagnosis and Research
Stable isotopes are used widely in clinical diagnosis and research for their versatile properties. Here are the various uses of stable isotopes you should know about.
Stable isotopes is a term that is used to describe non-radioactive atoms of the same chemical elements. Although these stable isotopes do not emit radiation, these can be used in a large variety of techniques including environmental studies, hydrology, agriculture and most importantly, clinical diagnosis and research. Some commonly used stable isotopes are Carbon-14 and Tritium or Hydrogen-3. Other isotopes like Calcium-40 and Zinc-70 are used in the extensive studies of mineral metabolism. The use of these stable isotopes has proven that there are no side effects on humans and are ethically accepted in the clinical diagnosis of children. The numerous advantages of using a stable isotope over their radioactive counterparts have made them a powerful and safe tool in the medicine world.
Breath Tests
Stable Isotopes are used to test the breath through which the doctors can analyze the underlying problem, generally bacterial overgrowth in the small intestines. The breath tests are non-invasive types of exams that are performed with the help of stable isotopes by ingesting the substrate (chemical species being observed in a chemical reaction) of the Carbon-13 isotopes.
Macronutrient metabolism
Macronutrients like carbohydrates, proteins and lipids constitute the most important and the largest part of human nutrition. These macronutrients are measured in infants using the substrates of Leucine and Phenylalanine; labelled Glycerol, Palmitic or Linoleic acids; and Carbon-13 glucose, when needed, respectively. Studies have proven that the use of these stable isotopes in premature neonates and infants have increased their energy. The stable isotopes have played an important role in the overall response to critical illness.
Mineral metabolism
Minerals are especially important for the human body. They help in metabolizing and are essential for the bodily functions of various organs. The abnormal levels of minerals in a human body can result in a disorder called Mineral Metabolism Disorder. There have been studies where stable isotopes like zinc, calcium, magnesium, and iron have been ingested into healthy children and children with disorders. The results are used to analyze the absorption rate, bioavailability, and the balance of the minerals in both categories of the children. In an extrinsic technique, the stable isotopes are directly mixed with the food and is a less expensive option. Meanwhile, in an intrinsic technique, the stable isotopes are incorporated biosynthetically in growing plants and food.
Inborn errors of metabolism
The genetic disorder in which the body cannot process and breakdown the food and turn it into energy is called Inborn Errors of Metabolism. Children with inborn errors of metabolism were studied by doctors using stable isotope techniques. The children were breath tested using stable isotopes to study the inborn errors of metabolism in them. Stable isotopes techniques were also used in blood sampling and infusing tracers in the bodies of the children with inborn errors of metabolism. The techniques were successfully used to determine the enzyme capacity of the body in regard to various diseases.
Now that you know more about the topic, you can make a decision in an informed manner.
Simson Pharma is one of the most popular names in the pharmaceutical sector and has crafted a great reputation as a solution provider in the field of contract research. They are amongst the leading manufacturers and suppliers of pharmaceutical reference materials.
Stable isotopes is a term that is used to describe non-radioactive atoms of the same chemical elements. Although these stable isotopes do not emit radiation, these can be used in a large variety of techniques including environmental studies, hydrology, agriculture and most importantly, clinical diagnosis and research. Some commonly used stable isotopes are Carbon-14 and Tritium or Hydrogen-3. Other isotopes like Calcium-40 and Zinc-70 are used in the extensive studies of mineral metabolism. The use of these stable isotopes has proven that there are no side effects on humans and are ethically accepted in the clinical diagnosis of children. The numerous advantages of using a stable isotope over their radioactive counterparts have made them a powerful and safe tool in the medicine world.
Let us read on the uses of stable isotopes for clinical diagnosis and research.
Breath Tests
Stable Isotopes are used to test the breath through which the doctors can analyze the underlying problem, generally bacterial overgrowth in the small intestines. The breath tests are non-invasive types of exams that are performed with the help of stable isotopes by ingesting the substrate (chemical species being observed in a chemical reaction) of the Carbon-13 isotopes.
Macronutrient metabolism
Macronutrients like carbohydrates, proteins and lipids constitute the most important and the largest part of human nutrition. These macronutrients are measured in infants using the substrates of Leucine and Phenylalanine; labelled Glycerol, Palmitic or Linoleic acids; and Carbon-13 glucose, when needed, respectively. Studies have proven that the use of these stable isotopes in premature neonates and infants have increased their energy. The stable isotopes have played an important role in the overall response to critical illness.
Mineral metabolism
Minerals are especially important for the human body. They help in metabolizing and are essential for the bodily functions of various organs. The abnormal levels of minerals in a human body can result in a disorder called Mineral Metabolism Disorder. There have been studies where stable isotopes like zinc, calcium, magnesium, and iron have been ingested into healthy children and children with disorders. The results are used to analyze the absorption rate, bioavailability, and the balance of the minerals in both categories of the children. In an extrinsic technique, the stable isotopes are directly mixed with the food and is a less expensive option. Meanwhile, in an intrinsic technique, the stable isotopes are incorporated biosynthetically in growing plants and food.
Inborn errors of metabolism
The genetic disorder in which the body cannot process and breakdown the food and turn it into energy is called Inborn Errors of Metabolism. Children with inborn errors of metabolism were studied by doctors using stable isotope techniques. The children were breath tested using stable isotopes to study the inborn errors of metabolism in them. Stable isotopes techniques were also used in blood sampling and infusing tracers in the bodies of the children with inborn errors of metabolism. The techniques were successfully used to determine the enzyme capacity of the body in regard to various diseases.
Now that you know more about the topic, you can make a decision in an informed manner.
Simson Pharma is one of the most popular names in the pharmaceutical sector and has crafted a great reputation as a solution provider in the field of contract research. They are amongst the leading manufacturers and suppliers of pharmaceutical reference materials.
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