13C-octanoate

13C-octanoate is a stable isotope-labeled diagnostic agent consisting of octanoic acid (caprylic acid) in which one or more carbon atoms are replaced with the non-radioactive isotope carbon-13. It is primarily utilized as a metabolic substrate in the 13C-octanoate breath test (OBT) to assess physiological functions such as gastric emptying rates and hepatic metabolic capacity. Upon oral administration, the compound is absorbed in the small intestine and transported to the liver, where it undergoes rapid mitochondrial β-oxidation, releasing 13CO2. The ratio of 13CO2 to 12CO2 in the exhaled breath is measured using isotope-ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) or infrared spectroscopy. This diagnostic tool has been investigated for differentiating between the presence and absence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic liver disease and for monitoring gastric motility in various clinical settings, including critical care and post-transplantation monitoring.

Other names

13C-octanoic acid[1-13C]octanoic acid13C-caprylic acidoctanoic acid [13C]