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Breath test substrates and in-vitro diagnostics
Breath test substrates
Breath test substrates are used to examine certain metabolic processes in the body. After ingestion, the substrates are metabolized in the body and the resulting gases such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen or methane can be measured in the breath.
Breath tests are non-invasive, easy to perform and provide rapid results, making them a valuable method in gastroenterological functional diagnostics. 13C-labeled substrates or various carbohydrates are used.
In vitro diagnostics
The HelicotecUT and HelicotecUT Plus in-vitro diagnostics from our partner Strong Biotech are rapid urease tests and are used to diagnose a possible infection of the stomach with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. If the bacterium is present in a biopsy sample, the urea in the rapid test reacts to ammonia under the action of the bacterial enzyme urease, which leads to a color change of the indicator phenol red.
13C breath tests
A well-known example is the breath test with 13C-labeledurea, which is used to diagnose a Helicobacter pylori infection. If the bacterium is present, the urea is enzymatically converted to carbon dioxide in the stomach, which is detected via the breath.
Gastric emptying: The substrates 13C-octanoic acidor 13C-acetatecan be used to investigate the rate of gastric emptying of solid food or liquid food.
Liver function tests: Tracking of metabolism using specific substrates such as 13C-methacetin.
Pancreatic function: 13C-labeledmixed triglycerides can be used as substrates to test for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. The test is best studied with a triglyceride containing 13C-labeledoctanoic acid.
H2 breath tests
Lactose intolerance or fructose malabsorption: measurement of hydrogen in the breath after ingestion of the corresponding carbohydrates.
SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth): an H2 breath test with either glucose or lactulose as the breath test substrate is suitable here.
