¹³C Mixed-Triglyceride Breath Test: Isotope Selective Non-Dispersive Infrared Spectrometry in Comparison with Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry in Volunteers and Patients with Chronic Pancreatitis

Abstract

Background: The ¹³C mixed-triglyceride breath test (MTB) has been proposed for the non-invasive assessment of duodenal pancreatic lipase activity. Until now, stable isotope analysis of CO₂ of the MTB has been carried out with isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). The aim of the present study was to compare MTB results by using the new non-dispersive infrared spectrometry (NDIRS) and the IRMS. Methods: Ten healthy volunteers and 10 patients with chronic pancreatitis and exocrine insufficiency were studied. After an overnight fast each subject received a test meal containing 250 mg 1,3 distearyl, 2[¹³C] octanoyl glycerol. Breath samples were taken at base line and at 30-min intervals over a period of 6 h postprandially. The ¹³C/¹²C ratio was determined in each breath sample by NDIRS and CF-IRMS as delta values. Results were expressed as delta over base line (DOB (?)) and as cumulative percentage dose of ¹³