13C-Spirulina platensis

13C-Spirulina platensis is a diagnostic test agent developed by the Mayo Clinic for the Gastric Emptying Breath Test (GEBT). It consists of the protein-rich blue-green algae *Spirulina platensis* that has been enriched with the stable isotope carbon-13 (13C) to approximately 99% enrichment. Unlike therapeutic drugs, this agent serves as a metabolic tracer to measure the rate of gastric emptying in patients with symptoms of dyspepsia, gastroparesis, or dumping syndrome. After oral ingestion within a standardized test meal, the labeled algae remains in the stomach until it is emptied into the small intestine, where it is digested and absorbed. The 13C is then metabolized to 13CO2, which is exhaled in the breath. By measuring the ratio of 13CO2 to 12CO2 in breath samples at specific intervals, clinicians can quantitatively determine gastric emptying kinetics. This method provides a non-invasive, radiation-free, point-of-care alternative to the traditional gold-standard diagnostic, scintigraphy.

Other names

13C-Spirulina platensis GEBTCarbon-13 labeled Spirulina platensisCarbon13 labeled Spirulina platensisCarbon 13 labeled Spirulina platensis13C-Spirulina platensis Gastric Emptying Breath Test