Preparation of [1'- C]citric acid as a probe in a breath test to evaluate tricarboxylic acid cycle flux.

[1'- C]Citric acid (1) was efficiently prepared from dimethyl 1,3-acetonedicarboxylate in two steps as a probe for a breath test. The synthetic method was selected because of the yield and reproducibility. Compound 1 was orally administrated to rats, and the time course of the increase of CO / CO ratios (Δ CO ) in their breath was successfully followed, indicating the metabolism of 1.

Effects of ethanol and sex on propionate metabolism evaluated a faster C-propionate breath test in rats.

Background: Alcoholism is regarded as a risk factor for vitamin B (VB) deficiency. Because VB serves as a coenzyme of methylmalonyl-CoA mutase, a key enzyme in propionate metabolism, the C-propionate breath test (PBT) has been studied as a non-invasive diagnostic modality for VB deficiency. However, the conventional PBT requires 2 h, which is inconvenient in clinical practice.

Evaluation of the One-Hour ¹³C-Propionate Breath Test in 49 Patients from a Single Center in Japan to Detect Vitamin B₁₂ Deficiency.

BACKGROUND Given the unavailability of reliable biomarkers for vitamin B₁₂ (VB₁₂) deficiency in clinical settings, the usefulness of the ¹³C-propionate breath test (PBT), utilizing VB₁₂ as a coenzyme of methylmalonyl-CoA in propionate metabolism, as a diagnostic modality for VB₁₂ deficiency has been studied. However, a collection time of 2 h reduces its convenience. Hence, we evaluated the effectiveness of 1-h PBT for detecting VB₁₂ deficiency in 49 patients with suspected VB₁₂ deficiency.

Alteration of Breath Hydrogen and Methane in Ethanol-Fed Rats.

Chronic alcohol consumption can cause dysbiosis, but it is difficult to determine the effect of alcohol on the structure and activity of gastrointestinal tract microbiota. We therefore designed a noninvasive hydrogen breath test (HBT) to investigate the alteration in the chemical profile of gut microbiota in ethanol-fed rats. Thirteen F344/DuCri rats were fed on a commercial mash food with 16% ethanol solution drinking fluid from 4 weeks of age.

Evaluation of remnant liver function using 13C-breath tests in a rat model of 70% partial hepatectomy.

Background/aims: A 13C breath test was applied to evaluate the early stage of postoperative liver function after hepatectomy. It was examined in comparison with functional and morphological recovery.

Methodology: Rats were subjected to 70% partial hepatectomy (H group) and control group (S group).

[Mechanism of alcohol consumption-mediated Th2-polarized immune response].

Alcohol consumption impairs Th1-mediated cellular immune responses and enhances serum IgE levels. It has been reported that the elevated IgE levels are associated with a Th2 polarization response, but the mechanisms for enhancing Th2 polarization by the ethanol treatment remain to be elucidated. The aim of this review is to present and discuss the mechanism of Th2 polarization response by alcohol.

Influence of chronic ethanol consumption on extra-pancreatic secretory function in rat.

Background: The usefulness of the typical direct methods involving duodenal intubation, such as the secretin and secretin-cholecystokinin tests, in the diagnosis of exocrine pancreatic dysfunction is widely accepted. However, these diagnostic tests tend to be avoided because of their technical complexity and the burden on patients. Recently, a simple breath test was developed for assessment of exocrine pancreatic function employing 13C-dipeptide [i.

Removal of ovarian hormones affects the ageing process of acetate metabolism.

Background: Despite a close association between gastrointestinal motility and sex hormones, it has been unknown whether ovarian hormones affect absorption and metabolism of nutrients. The aim of this study is, therefore, to evaluate metabolism of acetate in rats with age and the influence of ovariectomy on its change.

Methods: Fourteen female rats of the F344 strain were used, and 13C-acetate breath test was performed at 2, 7 and 13 months of age.

Is the metabolism of toast alcohol beverages influenced by a meal taken five minutes later?

Alcohol is commonly consumed with, or soon after, a meal that affects gastric emptying and thus, absorption and metabolism of alcohol. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of liquid test meal ingested soon after, alcohol ingestion on alcohol metabolism, as is common in the social setting. First, a 100 mL of water containing of 80 mg of 13C-ethanol was administrated orally in 7 healthy subjects, and 200 mL of liquid meal (200 kcal) was administrated 5 min after alcohol ingestion.

Omic analyses unravels global molecular changes in the brain and liver of a rat model for chronic Sake (Japanese alcoholic beverage) intake.

The effects of chronic administration of Sake (Japanese alcoholic beverage, Nihonshu) on brain and liver of female F334 (Fisher) rats were surveyed via global omic analyses using DNA microarray, 2-DE, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance. Rats weaned at 4 wk of age were given free access to Sake (15% alcohol), instead of water. At 13 months of age, and 24 h after withdrawal of Sake supply, rats were sacrificed, and the whole brain and liver tissues dissected for analyses.

ALDH2 and CYP2E1 genotypes, urinary acetaldehyde excretion and the health consequences in moderate alcohol consumers.

Deficiencies in mitochondrial low-Km aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) activity, and consequently high blood acetaldehyde levels, have been suggested to relate to various diseases in Japanese, including esophageal cancer. In the present study, 200 men aged 35-59 years randomly selected from an occupational population were analyzed for the association of ALDH2 genotypes and cytochrome P450-2E1 (CYP2E1) genotypes with the urinary excretion of acetaldehyde (which is bound to some chemicals in the urine) and with common alcohol-related health consequences. Urinary acetaldehyde excretion was increased, reflecting increased alcohol consumption even in this moderate alcohol-consuming population.