Use of Breath Hydrogen and Methane as Markers of Colonic Fermentation in

摘要: Fermentation in the large bowel has been postulated to play a protective role against colon cancer. Hydrogen and methane are end products of this fermentation process absorbed into bloodstream excreted via expired air breath. Breath levels hydrogen and, lesser extent, correlate strongly with colonic may serve as useful biomarkers for process. In preliminary study assess usefulness these two markers epidemiologic studies, we followed hourly excretion gases alveolar 48 hr 20 healthy subjects, using Quintron gas chromatograph equipped solidstate detector specific reducing gases. All subjects hydrogen, but 71% did not excrete methane. Possible atmospheric contamination samples was corrected on basis breath carbon dioxide levels. A clear circadian pattern observed decrease during early morning by progressive increase rest day. Methane constant throughout This shows that four collected at convenient times (0600,1300,1800, 2200 hr) optimal characterize individuals their excretions 24-hr period.