The potential of a 13C-methacetin breath test for estimating ascorbic acid requirements
Powers, H.J.
International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research. Internationale Zeitschrift für Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal International de Vitaminologie et de Nutrition 57(4): 455
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-9831 PMID: 3440723 Document Number: 294859
Guineapigs weighing 350 to 600 g in different stages of vitamin C depletion were given 5 mg unlabelled methacetin and 0.67 mu Ci [14C]methacetin by mouth. Maximum rate of 14CO2 production (per cent dose per min) and the 2-h recovery of 14C (per cent dose) were both positively correlated with ascorbic acid concentration in plasma, with the regression equations: per cent dose/min = 0.1028 plasma ascorbic acid mg/ml + 0.2606, r = 0.886; per cent dose = 5.4838 plasma ascorbic acid + 24.036, r = 0.800. It seems likely that a 13C breath test could be used to estimate ascorbic acid requirements in man.