Use of 13C-acetate breath test for assessment of gastric emptying in horses.
Abstract: This study aimed to establish and standardize a breath test that uses 13C-acetate in a liquid diet for evaluation of gastric emptying in horses. Seven adult healthy thoroughbreds were used in this study. They were given 13C-acetate (125 mg, 250 mg, or 500 mg) in a test meal (2000 ml liquid diet) via an intranasal catheter. 13C concentrations in the exhaled CO2 were measured in samples taken before and after test meal administration using an infrared absorption spectroscope. In the 500 mg 13C-acetate group, Delta13CO2 showed a steep gradient immediately after meal administration compared to the 125 mg and 250 mg groups. Therefore, t(max) in the 500 mg group was easier to determine than in the 125 mg and 250 mg groups. In the 500 mg group, GEC, half-empty time (t1/2), calculated t(max) (t(lag)), and t(max) were 1.95 +/- 0.28 (mean +/- SD), 229.2 +/- 57.0 (min), 139.2 +/- 22.2 (min), and 124.0 +/- 28.4, respectively. Differences in CV observed in the 500 mg group were lower than those in the 125 mg and 250 mg groups. This study demonstrates that the 13C-acetate breath test is useful for evaluating gastric emptying in horses since it is non-invasive and does not require set up of special facilities or equipment. Optimum evaluation of gastric emptying in horses can be achieved with 500 mg of 13C-acetate given in a liquid diet.
Publication Date: 2005-11-09 PubMed ID: 16276054DOI: 10.1292/jvms.67.993Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
Summary
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The researchers conducted a study to develop and standardize a non-invasive testing method using 13C-acetate to assess gastric emptying in horses.
Research Methodology
- Seven healthy adult Thoroughbred horses were used in the study.
- The horses were administered a test meal of 2000 ml liquid diet, which contained different doses (125 mg, 250 mg, and 500 mg) of 13C-acetate, through an intranasal catheter.
- The breathed-out CO2 was captured, both before and after the meal was administered. The captured gas was then analysed for its 13C concentration using an infrared absorption spectroscope.
- The time it took for maximum concentration of 13C-acetate to be reached in the exhaled breath (tmax) was noted, as well as the half-empty time (t1/2), and calculated tmax (t(lag)).
- These results were then analysed for consistency and variability.
Findings
- The 500 mg 13C-acetate group displayed a steep 13C concentration gradient immediately after being fed the test meal. As a result, it was easier to determine tmax in this group as compared to the others.
- In the 500 mg group, the mean values were found to be, Gastric Emptying Coefficient (GEC) 1.95 +/- 0.28, half-empty time 229.2 +/- 57.0 min, calculated tmax 139.2 +/- 22.2 min, and tmax 124.0 +/- 28.4.
- There were lower observed differences in CV (coefficient of variation) in the 500 mg group than in the 125 mg and 250 mg groups.
Conclusion
- The 13C-acetate breath test was found to be a useful tool for evaluating gastric emptying in horses. It is non-invasive and does not require specific facilities or equipment.
- Providing a dose of 500 mg 13C-acetate in a liquid diet was found to be optimal for assessing gastric emptying in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Sasaki N, Aiuchi H, Yamada H.
(2005).
Use of 13C-acetate breath test for assessment of gastric emptying in horses.
J Vet Med Sci, 67(10), 993-997.
https://doi.org/10.1292/jvms.67.993 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Surgery, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan.
MeSH Terms
- Acetates / administration & dosage
- Acetates / metabolism
- Administration, Oral
- Animals
- Breath Tests / instrumentation
- Breath Tests / methods
- Carbon Isotopes / administration & dosage
- Carbon Isotopes / metabolism
- Gastric Emptying / physiology
- Horses
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Sasaki N, Tsuzuki N, Yamada M, Minami T, Yamada H. A preliminary study of (13)c-phenylalanine and (13)c-dipeptide breath tests in horses. J Equine Sci 2009;20(1):7-10.
- Viljoen GJ, Luckins AG. The role of nuclear technologies in the diagnosis and control of livestock diseases--a review. Trop Anim Health Prod 2012 Oct;44(7):1341-66.
- Jensen RB, Walslag IH, Marcussen C, Thorringer NW, Junghans P, Nyquist NF. The effect of feeding order of forage and oats on metabolic and digestive responses related to gastric emptying in horses. J Anim Sci 2025 Jan 4;103.
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