GASTRIC-EMPTYING OF LIQUID MEALS MEASURED NONINVASIVELY IN HUMANS WITH [C-13]ACETATE BREATH TEST

The aim of the present study was to develop a breath test to measure l iquid gastric emptying rates that would be without radiation exposure and applicable to field testing. Four different test meals were invest igated: a glucose meal, an amino acid meal, a fat meal, and a mixed me al (Ensure). The test meals were labeled with two markers, [C-13]aceta te and PEG-4000 (polyethylene glycol 4000). Gastric emptying rates wer e measured simultaneously by both breath test and the double-indicator technique in eight healthy male subjects. The appearance of (CO2)-C-1 3 in the breath closely reflected gastric emptying of the four test me als as measured by the double-indicator technique. It is concluded tha t the [C-13]acetate breath test is a reliable, noninvasive test to mea sure gastric emptying rates of liquid test meals.