LIMONENE IN EXPIRED LUNG AIR OF PATIENTS WITH LIVER-DISEASE

As part of an effort to examine the relationship between chemosensory disturbance and oral chemistry, we analyzed expired lung air samples f rom a series of 24 patients with liver disease and 24 healthy controls using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Compared to samples from controls, lung air from patients with liver disease contained unusuall y high levels of limonene, a monoterpene that is a major component of the essential oil of citrus fruits (0.1 vs 7.0 mu g/20 liters for cont rols and patients). Only half the patients showed high levels of limon ene. Patients with noncholestatic liver disease were significantly mor e likely to have elevated lung air limonene levels than those with cho lestatic liver disease (0.2 vs 13.8 mu g/20 liters). Responses to food frequency and dietary behavior questionnaires indicated a pattern of diet selection and food preferences that were consistent with a dietar y origin for the limonene in these patients.