The C-13-octanoic acid breath test for detection of effects of meal composition on the rate of solid-phase gastric emptying in ponies

The aim of this study was to apply the C-13-octanoic acid breath test for d etection of alterations in the rate of solid-phase gastric emptying, induce d by changes in test meal composition, in ponies. After a 14 hour fast the ponies (n = 4) ingested a test meal with 0, 35 or 70 ml soya oil, and label led with 250 mg C-13-octanoic acid. Each pony was given each of the three t est meals on three separate occasions, in a randomised order. Exhaled breat h samples were collected for 12 hours after ingestion of the test meal. Bre ath samples were analysed by continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometr y. Three indices of breath C-13-enrichment were computed, half-dose recover y time (t1/2) gastric emptying coefficient (GEC) and time to peak breath C- 13-excretion t(max), The C-13-octanoic acid breath test was a reliable mean s of assessing the significantly decreased rate of gastric emptying in the pony, associated with addition of soya oil to the test meal. (C) 2001 Harco urt Publishers Ltd.