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Carbon stable‐isotope tracking in breath for comparative studies of fuel use
Author(s) -
Welch Kenneth C.,
Péronnet François,
Hatch Kent A.,
Voigt Christian C.,
McCue Marshall D.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/nyas.12737
Subject(s) - isotopes of carbon , isotope , stable isotope ratio , tracking (education) , environmental science , chemistry , environmental chemistry , radiochemistry , nuclear physics , physics , psychology , pedagogy
Almost half a century ago, researchers demonstrated that the ratio of stable carbon isotopes in exhaled breath of rats and humans could reveal the oxidation of labeled substrates in vivo , opening a new chapter in the study of fuel use, the fate of ingested substrates, and aerobic metabolism. Until recently, the combined use of respirometry and stable‐isotope tracer techniques had not been broadly employed to study fuel use in other animal groups. In this review, we summarize the history of this approach in human and animal research and define best practices that maximize its utility. We also summarize several case studies that use stable‐isotope measurements of breath to explore the limits of aerobic metabolism and substrate turnover among several species and various physiological states. We highlight the importance of a comparative approach in revealing the profound effects that phylogeny, ecology, and behavior can have in shaping aerobic metabolism and energetics as well as the fundamental biological principles that underlie fuel use and metabolic function across taxa. New analytical equipment and refinement of methodology make the combined use of respirometry and stable‐isotope tracer techniques simpler to perform, less costly, and more field ready than ever before.