Premium
13 C‐Methacetin metabolism in patients with cirrhosis: relation to disease severity, haemoglobin content and oxygen supply
Author(s) -
Zipprich A.,
Meiss F.,
Steudel N.,
Sziegoleit U.,
Fleig W. E.,
Kleber G.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
alimentary pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.308
H-Index - 177
eISSN - 1365-2036
pISSN - 0269-2813
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2036.2003.01604.x
Subject(s) - cirrhosis , breath test , medicine , gastroenterology , liver function , oxygen , liver disease , liver function tests , chemistry , organic chemistry , helicobacter pylori
Summary Background: Hypoxia may contribute to impairment of liver function and thus interfere with results of liver tests. In patients with cirrhosis, cytochrome P‐450 mediated metabolism of substrates is facilitated in the presence of supplemental oxygen. It has not been studied how this relates to liver function and haemoglobin content. Aim: We questioned how oxygen supplementation would influence the hepatic microsomal function as assessed by the 13 C‐methacetin breath test in patients with cirrhosis of different severity and different degrees of anaemia. Methods: 13 C/ 12 C ratios in exhaled breath assessed by non‐dispersive infrared spectrometry were studied in 34 patients with cirrhosis (Child A/B/C 9/17/8) after administration of 75 mg 13 C‐methacetin p.o. with and without oxygen inhalation (4 L/min). Results: In patients breathing room air the total amount of 13 C exhaled weakly correlated both with the Child–Pugh score ( r = − 0.41, P < 0.02) and haemoglobin concentrations ( r = 0.46; p = 0.006). Oxygen supplementation increased the total amount of 13 C exhaled by 68 ± 90% ( P < 0.001). This effect was similar in Child–Pugh classes A (43 ± 55%), B (83 ± 80%) and C (66 ± 123%) and not related to the Child–Pugh score. Conclusions: Our results suggest that tests of microsomal liver function are independently influenced both by oxygen delivery and the Child–Pugh score.