| Diabetes is diagnosed in 7% of the United States population and grows exponentially each year. Current theory for the disease involves finger sticks and diet, coupled with insulin infusion, multiple daily injections, or oral medications. A non-invasive remedy would be an ideal solution. The following thesis discusses a method of exhaled human breath sampling followed by analysis using a multi column, multi detector gas chromatography system.; In one study, ten healthy subjects were administered an oral glucose tolerance test and both breath and blood were collected at time points throughout the test. Results showed that using both breath ethanol and acetone in a multiple linear regression model with blood glucose, we were able to accurately estimate the actual blood glucose, with an average individual correlation coefficient of 0.70, and not lower than 0.41 in any subject.; In another study eighteen experiments were conducted on 10 diabetic children; plasma glucose and exhaled gases were monitored during either constant euglycemic (n = 5), or initial hyperglycemia with gradual correction via I.V. insulin infusion (n = 13). The kinetic profile of exhaled methyl nitrate was strongly correlated with that of plasma glucose (p < 0.0001). The kinetic profiles of the two variables paralleled each other in 16 out of 18 experiments, including repeat subjects who at different times displayed both eu- and hyper-glycemia. Methyl nitrate appears to correlate strongly and specifically with the acute, spontaneous hyperglycemia in diabetic children, potentially reflecting the combination of high plasma glucose and altered insulin, lipid and ketone body metabolism, characteristic of this condition.; These studies along with others discussed, suggest that exhaled ethanol, methyl iodide and methyl nitrate are all associated with bacteria. Ethanol is produced directly by bacteria from ingested glucose, methyl iodide is linked to bacteria and antibiotics, and methyl nitrate indirectly tracks blood glucose and is likely a marker of acute oxidative stress. All three gases are useful non-invasive markers that can be used to diagnose and monitor a number of medical conditions. |
