Breath hydrogen as a test for gastrointestinal transit.
Intestinal transit is an important indicator of small-bowel function. This study served to investigate oro-cecal and duodeno-cecal transit times of different carbohydrate test meals and to evaluate intra- and interindividual variability of the breath hydrogen test. Breath hydrogen was analysed by an electrochemical cell in 25 healthy volunteers. Oro-cecal transit time of lactulose was much shorter than that of a standardized normal test meal. Duodeno-cecal transit was approximately one hour shorter than oro-cecal transit. Considerable intra- and interindividual differences were observed. It is concluded that results of lactulose test meals do not permit conclusions as to the physiological situation. Large intra- and interindividual variability of transit times must be taken into account in any study using the breath hydrogen test.
D000328:Adult; D001944:Breath Tests; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D005260:Female; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility; D006801:Humans; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000032:analysis*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000502:physiology*; D007792:Lactulose / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors
D007792:Lactulose; D006859:Hydrogen