Tracing the path of disruption: ¹³C isotope applications in traumatic brain injury‐induced metabolic dysfunction

Abstract

Cerebral metabolic dysfunction is a critical pathological hallmark observed in the aftermath of traumatic brain injury (TBI), as extensively documented in clinical investigations and experimental models. An in‐depth understanding of the bioenergetic disturbances that occur following TBI promises to reveal novel therapeutic targets, paving the way for the timely development of interventions to improve patient outcomes. The 13C isotope tracing technique represents a robust methodological advance, harnessing biochemical quantification to delineate the metabolic trajectories of isotopically labeled substrates. This nuanced approach enables real‐time mapping of metabolic fluxes, providing a window into the cellular energetic state and elucidating the perturbations in key metabolic circuits. By applying this sophisticated tool, researchers can dissect the complexities of bioenergetic networks within the central nervous system, offering insights into the metabolic derangements specific to TBI pathology. Embraced by both animal studies and clinical research, 13C isotope tracing has bolstered our understanding of TBI‐induced metabolic dysregulation. This review synthesizes current applications of isotope tracing and its transformative potential in evaluating and addressing the metabolic sequelae of TBI.

Multi Omics Applications in Biological Systems

“…Similar technique also have been used to assess food quality [122][123][124][125][126] and the toxic effects of xenobiotics [127,128]. In order to enhance accuracy, precision, and throughput, common LC-MS techniques have employed 13 C or 18 O isotopic approaches [129][130][131][132]. MALDI imagining is an MS-based technique widely used for the characterization of tissues derived from several health conditions facilitating their diagnosis and therapy [133][134][135][136][137].…”