The metabolism of low molecular weight hydrocarbon gases in man.

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The metabolism of ethane and pentane in man is demonstrated to occur from the uptake of an enriched atmosphere of these gases in a rebreathe spirometer circuit. Dithiocarb, an inhibitor of alkane metabolism, reduced uptake and increased the respiratory excretion of these gases. This effect was least marked for the slowly metabolised ethane. Therefore the endogenous production of ethane as measured by respiratory excretion is less affected. However pentane is rapidly metabolised and this limits the use of simple respiratory excretion of pentane as a measure of in vivo lipid peroxidation.