ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate and assess 13C-methacetin breath test as a method to quantitatively evaluate the liver function of non-alcoholic fatty liver. Methods Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the following 2 groups, control group given a standard chow and model group given high-fat diet (88 % standard chow + 10% lard +2% cholesterol). At the 8th week and 12th week, the isotope-selective nondispersive infrared spectrometer (NDIRS) was applied to 13C-methacetin breath test. Peak value of breathing (DOB), the duration to peak (T), and cumulative expiration within 60 min (CUM60min) were determined. Then, the two groups of rats were executed respectively. The level of endotoxin in the portal vein and abdominal aorta was detected respectively, and the specific tissue of liver was fixed in 10% buffered formalin, processed, and embedded in paraffin for hematoxylin eosin (H&E). Results Compared with the control group, DOB increased in the model group at the 12th week but not at the 8th week. The trend was corresponded to the degree of path-ological lesion in the liver of rats. At the 8th week and 12th week, endotoxin levels in the portal vein of model group were significantly in-creased compared with control group. The breath test results were positively related to emlotoxin levels in the portal vein. Conclusion 13C-methacetin breath test may be a non-invasive method to evaluate the pathological changes of non-alcoholic fatty liver.