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Updated: Jul 22, 2025
05:31
Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
Published on: August 7, 2017
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Effect of immune responses on breath methane dynamics
Daniela Polag1, Frank Keppler1,2
1Institute of Earth Sciences, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 236, Germany.
Journal of Breath Research
|July 24, 2023
Summary
Breath methane (CH4) levels may indicate oxidative stress and immune responses. Monitoring CH4 dynamics and isotopes in breath offers potential for in vivo diagnostics and personalized medicine.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical diagnostics
- Human physiology
- Analytical chemistry
Background:
- Methane (CH4) in breath was traditionally linked to gut microbes.
- Emerging evidence suggests endogenous cellular production of CH4 via oxidative stress.
- Breath CH4 variations may signal heightened oxidative stress, impacting diagnostics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate CH4 dynamics in breath related to immune responses.
- To assess CH4 changes during infections, inflammation, and vaccination.
- To explore breath CH4 as a biomarker for immune status.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal monitoring of breath CH4 levels in two subjects over two years.
- Gas chromatography with flame-ionization detection for CH4 quantification.
- Gas chromatograph-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry for CH4 stable carbon isotope analysis.
Main Results:
- Significant deviations in breath CH4 levels observed during immune-active periods.
- Individual CH4 ranges were exceeded, indicating a departure from the healthy state.
- Vaccination-induced CH4 degradation was confirmed through isotopic analysis.
Conclusions:
- Breath CH4 concentration and isotopic composition can serve as biomarkers.
- These biomarkers may evaluate specific immune responses and individual immune states.
- Monitoring breath CH4 holds promise for in vivo diagnostics and personalized medicine.
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