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Updated: May 13, 2026

Quantitative and Temporal Control of Oxygen Microenvironment at the Single Islet Level
Published on: November 17, 2013
Monitoring breath during oral glucose tolerance tests.
S Ghimenti1, S Tabucchi, T Lomonaco
1Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Breath analysis during oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) showed higher acetone levels in diabetics. However, variability prevented group identification by this marker alone, suggesting further research into volatile compounds.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Metabolomics
Background:
- Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) are crucial for diagnosing glucose metabolism disorders.
- Breath analysis offers a non-invasive method to assess metabolic states.
- Understanding volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in breath can provide insights into physiological changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze breath composition changes during OGTTs.
- To correlate breath volatile compounds with blood glucose levels.
- To explore the potential of breath analysis for differentiating glucose tolerance statuses.
Main Methods:
- Utilized thermal desorption/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD/GC/MS) for breath analysis.
- Analyzed breath samples from 16 subjects undergoing OGTTs.
- Correlated identified volatile compounds with blood glucose measurements.
Main Results:
- Observed variations in breath acetone levels across subjects with diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, and normoglycaemia.
- Acetone concentrations were generally higher in diabetic individuals.
- Identified exhalation of 3-hydroxy-butan-2-one and butane-2,3-dione, potentially linked to oral bacterial glucose metabolism.
- Significant inter-individual variability in acetone levels precluded definitive group discrimination.
Conclusions:
- Breath acetone levels show a trend related to glucose tolerance but are not sufficiently distinct for reliable classification alone.
- Oral bacteria may contribute to specific volatile compound production during glucose metabolism.
- Further investigation into a broader range of VOCs is warranted to improve diagnostic discrimination.
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