13C Metabolic Probes

13C metabolic probes have strategically placed carbon-13 atoms that can be metabolized by enzymes to generate carbon-13 dioxide. The amount of 13C probe used and the ratio between the generated carbon dioxide 12C and 13C can be used to determine the enzymatic rate. The enzymatic rate could possibly indicate disease status or response to a treatment. The 13C metabolic probes are for research use only and not approved by any regulatory body for use as a diagnostic.