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Breath carbon stable isotope ratios identify changes in energy balance and substrate utilization in humans

Abstract

Rapid detection of shifts in substrate utilization and energy balance would provide a compelling biofeedback tool for individuals attempting weight loss. As a proof of concept, we tested whether the natural abundance of exhaled carbon stable isotope ratios (breath δ13C) reflects shifts between negative and positive energy balance. Volunteers (n=5) consumed a 40% energy-restricted diet for 6 days followed by 50% excess on day 7. Breath was sampled immediately before and 1 h and 2 h after breakfast, lunch and dinner. Exhaled breath δ13C values were measured by cavity ring-down spectroscopy. Using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Dunnett’s contrasts, pre-breakfast breath values on days 2–6 were compared with day 1, and postprandial day 7 time points were compared with pre-breakfast day 7. Energy restriction diminished pre-breakfast breath δ13C by day 3 (P<0.05). On day 7, increased energy intake was first detected immediately before dinner (−23.8±0.6 vs −21.9±0.7‰, P=0.002 (means±s.d.)), and breath δ13C remained elevated at least 2 h post dinner. In conclusion, when shifting between negative and positive energy balance, breath δ13C showed anticipated isotopic changes. Although additional research is needed to determine specificity and repeatability, this method may provide a biomarker for marked increases in caloric intake.

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Acknowledgements

We wish to thank Reema Kaloti and Tim Shriver for dietary analysis, and Clint Hall for assistance with manuscript preparation. This study was supported in part by a USDA Hatch grant at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

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Correspondence to L D Whigham.

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Competing interests

DEB, WPP and MEC have ownership interest in Isomark, LLC, which has licensed the technology reported in this publication. WPP and MEC hold a patent entitled ‘Passive measurement of isotopes to monitor health’ (#5,912,178), and DEB, WPP and MEC hold a patent entitled ‘Identification of disease characteristics using isotope ratios in breath’ (#7,465,276 B2). DAS received a grant from Dairy Management, Inc. for evaluation of 13C biomarkers. The remaining authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Supplementary Information accompanies this paper on International Journal of Obesity website

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Whigham, L., Butz, D., Johnson, L. et al. Breath carbon stable isotope ratios identify changes in energy balance and substrate utilization in humans. Int J Obes 38, 1248–1250 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2014.7

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