Utility of Breath Ethane as a Noninvasive Biomarker of Vitamin E Status in Children

Abstract

ABSTRACT. The purpose of our study was to determine if the ethane content of expired air could be a useful index of vitamin E status in children. Eight children with vitamin E deficiency secondary to chronic severe liver disease were studied: six of these children were treated with parenteral vitamin E (2-5 mg/kg/dose every 4-7 d). Measures of vitamin E status pre-and posttherapy were: serum vitamin

Collection of a single alveolar exhaled breath for volatile organic compounds analysis

“…For instance, the breath odor of acetone is an indicator of uncontrolled diabetes and the odor of dimethyl sulfide is related to liver disease [Phillips, 1992al. Other uses of exhaled breath as a diagnostic medical tool for coronary artery disease, schizophrenia, tissue rejection, and other diseases have been discussed in the literature [Refat et al, 1991;Phillips, 1992b;Phillips et al, 1993;Risby et al, 19941. Upon detailed analysis of exhaled breath, the presence of xenobiotic compounds or excess endogenous compounds can indicate recent exposures through respiration, ingestion, or dermal contact because the breath reflects the blood concentrations within certain partition coefficients.…”

Breath Analysis: Analytical Methodologies and Clinical Applications

“…A pioneer research in the isolation and quantification of volatile breath biomarkers of oxidative stress was carried out by Risby's group at John Hopkins University during the 1990s [14,142]. A clinical report by Lemoyne and associates [143] demonstrating that levels of breath pentane correlated inversely with vitamin E status in adult subjects were extended to pediatric subjects with severe chronic liver disease accompanied by decreased metabolic capacity [144]. Levels of breath ethane instead of breath pentane was used to monitor vitamin E status; both studies concluded that reduced levels of antioxidants Se and vitamin E synergistically promote tissue lipid peroxidation and elevated levels of breath ethane.…”

Establishment of Dietary Reference Intakes for Dietary Antioxidants

“…More severe vitamin E deficiency symptoms, including neurological abnormalities, occur if bile secretion is also impaired in the children (Cynamon et al, 1988;Elias et al, 1981;Farrell et al, 1977;Sokol et al, 1989;Stead et al, 1986;Winklhofer-Roob et al, 1996a,b). Breath ethane, a lipid peroxidation marker, and erythrocyte susceptibility to in vitro hydrogen peroxide lysis have been inversely correlated with plasma oc-tocopherol concentrations in children and adults with vitamin E deficiency as defined by low plasma vitamin E concentrations (Refat et al, 1991). Moreover, both the markers (breath ethane concentrations and erythrocyte lysis) and the symptoms of neurological abnormality can be corrected with supplemental vitamin E.…”