Breath pentane: an indicator for early and continuous monitoring of lipid peroxidation in hepatic ischaemia–reperfusion injury

Abstract

Lipid peroxidation plays an important role during liver ischaemia-reperfusion injury. Pentane in breath is often used as an index of lipid peroxidation. We observed the changes in levels of breath pentane during the lipid peroxidation process caused by liver ischaemia-reperfusion injury. Ten male swine were anaesthetized with chloral hydrate 0.3-0.5 g kg(-1) min(-1). Total hepatic ischaemia was induced by occluding the portal inflow vessels. Ischaemia lasted 30 min followed by reperfusion for 180 min. Breath samples were sampled from the anaesthesia circuit and blood samples were collected from the inferior vena cava. Pentane concentrations in breath and blood were quantified by means of solid phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrography technique. Exhaled pentane concentrations (means +/- SE) increased markedly after reperfusion for 1 min (244.13 +/- 33.3 pmol l(-1)) and decreased gradually to initial levels after reperfusion for 60 min. Blood pentane concentrations (means +/- SE) increased significantly after reperfusion for 1 min (333.46 +/- 63.05 pmol l(-1)) and then decreased to basal level. Breath pentane concentrations showed a correlation with blood (r = 0.709, P < 0.05). Breath pentane analysis could provide early, rapid, noninvasive and continuous assessment of lipid peroxidation during hepatic ischaemia-reperfusion injury.