13C MRS: An outstanding tool for metabolic studies

Abstract

We provide an overview of 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy methods and their applications as an established metabolic tool with an emphasis on the use of high-resolution 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy and 13C isotopomer analysis. Topics addressed include general properties of the 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy spectrum; different 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy acquisition protocols; determination of fractional 13C enrichment, kinetic, or steady state measurements of metabolic flux; 13C isotopomer analysis approaches; 13C(2H) magnetic resonance spectroscopy methodologies; and in vivo 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Some illustrative applications are described. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 27A: 1-16, 2005.