¹³C-phenacetin breath test as a measure of liver function in cirrhotics

Abstract

Phenacetin breath test (PBT) using ¹³C-Phenacetin was performed to test its sensitivity in evaluating cirrhotics' liver function, comparing to Aminopyrine breath test (ABT). Percent dose of ¹³CO₂ expired per min. (¹³CO₂%dose/min.) were significantly lower (p<0.001) in cirrhotics up to 90min. ¹³CO₂%doses/min. of PBT were larger from 30 to 120min. than those of ABT when compared incontrol. They were also larger from 60 to 240min. than those of ABT in cirrhotics. Cumulative % doses expired (Cum % dose) in PBT of cirrhotics were significantly smaller from 30 to 240min. than those of control group. The values were significantly larger from 120 to 240min. than those of ABT. The mean residence time of phenacetin in cirrhotics were longer than that in controls, while that of aminopyrine was the same in cirrhotics and controls. Better correlations were obtained between PBT and liver function tests which indicate functioning liver cell mass than ABT.