ABSTRACT
Objective To establish a convenient ~(13)C-breath test system in live mice,and investigate the value of ~(13)C-methacetin breath test(~(13)C-MBT) in the diagnosis of acute liver damage of mice with domestically synthesized ~(13)C-methacetin. Methods Domestically synthesized ~(13)C.methacetin was prepared from aeamol by methylation. Abdominal injection of CCl_4 was adopted to duplicate acute liver damage of mice,then the mice were housed under normal laboratory condition for a whole month to gain recovery,which were indentified by hepatic pathological examinations and biochemical teats of liver function.After fasting, the mice were orally administered ~(13)C-methacetin,and the expired air was collected at various time points. Infrared spectrometer was employed, and delm over baseline(DOB) curves of ~(13)C-exhalation were drawn. Results Six to eight min after administration of ~(13)C-methacetin,the rate of ~(13)C-exhalation peaked in control group(51.9±2.04), and decreased thereafter. Sixteen min after administration of ~(13)C-methacetin,the rate of ~(13)JC-exhalation peaked in model group(26.37±5.74), and decreased thereafter.There were significant differences between these two groups(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in peak value and time to reach the peak on DOB curves of ~(13)C-methacetin breath test after the two groups of mice were housed under the same condition for a month(P>0.05).Conclution ~(13)C-MBT facilitates the collection and evaluation of ~(13)CO_2 in the expired air of live mice,and yields precise reflection of alterations of liver function in acute liver injury and functional recovery.