The Use of Stable Isotopes in Vitamin Research

An overview of interactions between micronutrients and of micronutrients with drugs, genes and immune mechanisms

“…This was in spite of the fact that when guinea-pigs in various stages of vitamin C depletion were given [ 14 C]methacetin and breath 14 CO 2 was collected, the amount of label found in the breath was there in proportion to status. However, a human study carried out in adult Gambian males failed to demonstrate any correlation between the metabolism of [ 13 C]methacetin and vitamin C status (Powers, 1987(Powers, , 1991. The reasons for the failure of the human study may be because the vitamin C deficiency in the guinea-pigs was more severe.…”

Symposium 1 Newer aspects of micronutrients in chronic disease

“…Bates et al (1982) reported that plasma vitamin C was at its lowest between the months of July and October. It is interesting, however, that when attempts were made to assess the functional vitamin C status of young adult men living in Keneba in The Gambia, no evidence of functional vitamin C deficiency could be detected (Powers, 1991).…”

“…Experiments using [14C]methacetin in guinea-pigs in various states of vitamin C depletion showed an excellent agreement between the level of 14C02 in the breath and plasma vitamin C (Powers, 1987). When, however, [13C]methacetin was given to human volunteers before and after vitamin C supplementation there was no relationship between the level of I3CO2 enrichment and the plasma vitamin C (Powers, 1991). However, Dr Powers' studies were done on Gambian men in the rainy season.…”