Pulse Stable Tracer Methods for Detection of Short-Chain Fatty Acids
AssigneeThe Texas A&M University System
InventorsNicolaas E. Deutz, Marielle P. Engelen, Gabrielle A. Ten Have, John J. Thaden
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Abstract
Provided herein are methods for diagnosing a pulmonary disease, for example chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, in a subject and for diagnosing a neurological disorder, for example, autism in a subject. Also provided is a method for increasing short chain fatty acid production in an older subject. Generally, the methods utilize stable isotope labeled, for example, 13C-labeled, short chain fatty acid from which metabolic rates and concentrations are calculated to confirm a diagnosis or increase in the short chain fatty acid production.
Claims20
A method for diagnosing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a subject, comprising:
- a) calculating a metabolic rate of at least one stable-isotope labeled short-chain fatty acid administered with a soluble fiber to the subject and to a healthy control, comprising:
- i) drawing, after fasting, a baseline first blood sample from the subject and from the healthy control;
- ii) administering intravenously to the subject and to the healthy control at least one stable isotope labeled short-chain fatty acid;
- iii) drawing a series of second blood samples at intervals from the subject and from the healthy control;
- iv) measuring a concentration of the isotope in the first blood sample and in each of the series of second blood samples from the subject and from the healthy control;
- v) applying a compartmental analysis to calculate a first metabolic rate of the at least one stable isotope labeled short-chain fatty acid from the concentrations of the isotope for the subject and for the healthy control;
- vi) administering orally a soluble fiber to the subject and to the healthy control;
- and
- vii) repeating steps ii) to v) to calculate a second metabolic rate for the at least one stable isotope labeled short-chain fatty acid for the subject and for the healthy control;
- and
- b) comparing the metabolic rate in the subject to the metabolic rate in the healthy control, wherein a lower metabolic rate in the presence of soluble fiber in the subject indicates a deficiency in production of short-chained fatty acids, thereby diagnosing the pulmonary disease.
A method for diagnosing the presence of autism in a subject, comprising:
- a) calculating a metabolic rate of at least one short-chain fatty acid, at least one amino acid and at least one protein in the subject and in a healthy control;
- i) drawing, after fasting, a baseline first blood sample from the subject and from the healthy control;
- ii) administering at intervals to the subject and to the healthy control at least one stable first isotope labeled short-chain fatty acid intravenously;
- at least one amino acid orally;
- at least one stable second isotope labeled amino acid intravenously;
- and a liquid nutrition formula comprising at least one stable third isotope labeled protein orally;
- iii) drawing a series of second blood samples at intervals from the subject and from the healthy control;
- iv) measuring a concentration of each of the stable first isotope, the stable second isotope and the stable third isotope in the first blood sample and in each of the series of second blood samples from the subject and from the healthy control;
- and
- v) applying a compartmental analysis to calculate the metabolic rate of the at least one short-chain fatty acid, the at least one amino acid and the at least one protein in the subject and in a healthy control;
- and
- b) comparing each of the metabolic rates in the subject to each of the metabolic rates in the healthy control;
- wherein a decrease in the metabolic rate of the at least one of the stable isotope labeled short-chain fatty acid, of the at least one stable second isotope labeled amino acid or of the at least one stable third isotope labeled protein or a combination thereof in the subject indicates a deficiency in production of short-chained fatty acids and quality of digestion, thereby diagnosing the neurological disorder.
A method for increasing short chain fatty acid production in an older subject, comprising:
- a) measuring a concentration of at least one short chain fatty acid in the older subject;
- b) supplementing the subject's diet with inulin over a period of time;
- and
- c) measuring the concentration of the at least one short chain fatty acid after supplementing to confirm an increase thereof in the older subject.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.