Clinical Trial: Breath Analysis Using an Electronic Nose in Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Study Status: Recruiting
Recruit Status: Recruiting
Study Type: Observational

Official Title: Breath Analysis Using an Electronic Nose in Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (BEN) Study

Brief Summary: The purpose of this is to analyse human exhaled breath by means of a device called electronic nose(eNose) in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as a way to non-invasive assessment of liver disease.This device is medically adapted and clinically validated in patients with lung conditions.

Detailed Summary:

Human exhaled breath contains over 3000 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that vary in relative concentration in health and disease. Metabolic disorders affecting the liver, such as NAFLD, produce disproportionate organic compounds produced as a by-product of metabolism and thus expired in exhaled breath, excreted in urine and detectable in blood. NAFLD prevalence is increasing and has reached epidemic proportions affecting 90% of obese adults and 22%-53% of obese children.Liver biopsy is the gold standard in diagnosing NAFLD, but it is unpleasant and can lead to complications. There is an unmet need to develop a non-invasive method of assessing liver disease. Comon Invent (Delft, Netherlands) together with the respiratory department at the Amsterdam Medical Centre (AMC), University of Amsterdam, have adapted the electronic nose known as SpiroNose as a prototype device for clinical use. Sensitive electronic sensors detect molecules in breath and generate signals. Complex algorithms and analytical technics allow pattern recognition of breath samples from different subjects. Well charaterised patients will be selected into clinical categories of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with and without cirrhosis and be compared with healthy individuals.

Edinburgh will be the only site conducting this study. In addition to exhaled breath analysis, blood and urine will be collected to study the end products of metabolism.Furthermore, stool and urine collected from some subjects will be analysed to understand the role of gut bacteria in fermentation, metabolic products as a result cause VOC production.


Sponsor: University of Edinburgh

Current Primary Outcome:

  • Characterise the electronic signature "breath-print" in pre-defined cohorts [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
    Identify disease specific electronic nose wave pattern
  • Characterisation of exhaled breath composition [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
    Molecular characterisation of breath volatile organic compounds through Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry


Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome: Profiling intestinal microbiome and assessing end-metabolic products in urine [ Time Frame: 12 months ]

Demonstrate dysbiosis in stool microbial and characterise metabolic products in urine of cohorts studied


Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: University of Edinburgh

Dates:
Date Received: January 13, 2016
Date Started: January 2016
Date Completion: August 2017
Last Updated: October 27, 2016
Last Verified: October 2016