Basal production of pentane in expired gas from healthy humans

Background: Pentane in exhaled gas is often used as an index of lipoperoxid ation, but today, there is no standardization for its measurement. Tn this study, with our technical experience, we determined basal production of pen tane in healthy subjects, and we evaluated variability of pentane flow I mo nth later. Methods: 18 subjects inhaled hydrocarbon-free air (HCFA) in orde r to realize a lung washout. Ambient air and three samples (at T0, T10, T30 min) of expired gas were concentrated using a "trap-and-purge" procedure. For the analysis of pentane, an Al2O3/KCl plot column contained in a gas ch romatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector was used. Results: Af ter 10 min of washout, mean ( SD) exhalation-rate of pentane was 1 +/- 0.6 pmol min(-1) kg(-1). After 30 min of washout, mean ( SD) exhalation rate of pentane was 0.7 +/- 0.5 pmol min(-1) kg(-1). No significant difference in pentane flow was shown I month later for eight subjects who repeated the pr otocol, Conclusion: With our results and data of the literature, exhalation rates of pentane from healthy adults appear to range between 0.3 and 2 pmo l min(-1) kg(-1). The variability of pentane flow 1 month later seems not v ery important. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.