Assessment of liver function in dogs using the 13C-galactose breath test

Silva, S., Wyse, C.A., Goodfellow, M.R., Yam, P.S. , Preston, T. , Papasouliotis, K. and Hall, E.J. (2010) Assessment of liver function in dogs using the 13C-galactose breath test. Veterinary Journal, 185(2), pp. 152-156. (doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.05.022)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the application of the C-13-galactose breath test (C-13-GBT) in assessing canine liver function by applying it to a group of healthy dogs, and to a group with clinicopathological evidence of liver dysfunction. Breath samples were collected 30 min before ingestion of C-13-galactose, and then at regular intervals thereafter for 6 h. The proportion of (CO2)-C-13/(CO2)-C-12 in the breath samples was measured by isotope-ratio mass spectrometry. There was no significant difference in recovery of (CO2)-C-13 in the diseased group, compared to the healthy controls, but there was considerable inter-subject variation in both groups, possibly due to differences in the rate of gastric emptying, which could preclude detection of alterations in hepatic metabolism of galactose. The results of this study do not support the application of the C-13-GBT for assessment of canine liver function.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Wyse, Dr Cathy and Preston, Professor Tom and Yam, Dr Philippa
• Authors: Silva, S., Wyse, C.A., Goodfellow, M.R., Yam, P.S., Preston, T., Papasouliotis, K., and Hall, E.J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Veterinary Journal
• Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
• ISSN: 1090-0233
• ISSN (Online): 1532-2971