Clinical application of breath analysis for dimethyl sulfide following ingestion of DL-methionine.

Abstract

After overnight-fasting, the concentration of dimethyl sulfide in expired alveolar gas (alv-DMS) was determined serially following ingestion of 2 g of DL-methionine in normal subjects and patients with liver diseases. Alv-DMS rose to a peak in 30 to 90 min, declined markedly within 3 h, and then decreased gradually. Half-disappearance times (T 1/2) (mean +/- S.E. min) in each experimental group were: normal (N = 9) 61.7 +/- 4.7, acute hepatitis (N = 6) 62.5 +/- 6.8, chronic hepatitis (N = 10) 84.0 +/- 13.0, and liver cirrhosis (N = 13) 159.2 +/- 30.4, respectively. Cirrhotics had a T 1/2 significantly longer than that of the other three groups: vs. normal P less than 0.02, vs. acute hepatitis P less than 0.05, and vs. chronic hepatitis P less than 0.05. T 1/2 of alv-DMS following ingestion of DL-methionine seems to be of clinical interest.

• Authors: H Kaji, M Hisamura, N Saito, H Sakai, T Aikawa, T Kondo, H Ide, M Murao
• Journal: Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry (Clin Chim Acta) Vol. 93 Issue 3 Pg. 377-80 (May 02 1979) ISSN: 0009-8981 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 445853 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Sulfides
• Methionine
• Methane
• dimethyl sulfide

Topics

• Breath Tests
• Hepatitis (metabolism)
• Humans
• Liver Cirrhosis (metabolism)
• Methane (analogs & derivatives, metabolism)
• Methionine (metabolism)
• Stereoisomerism
• Sulfides (metabolism)