Effects of diet, activities, environmental exposures and trimethylamine metabolism on alveolar breath compounds: protocol for a retrospective case-cohort observational study

Abstract

BackgroundExhaled breath contains thousands of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that reflect on biochemical and biophysical activities both outside and within the human body. Breath analysis could provide non-invasive, cost-effective, real time early disease diagnosis and monitoring of therapeutic responses.ObjectivesThe primary objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of alveolar breath testing in diagnosing idiopathic systemic body and breath odors. Key secondary objectives were to assess if breath tests can reliably differentiate subtypes of idiopathic malodor in different environments and dietary regimens, and to map metabolites to biomedical functions and pathways.Study DesignThe basic design was to measure a cohort of idiopathic odor in order to identify potential molecular correlates with genotypic and phenotypic variables. Participants were subdivided in several different ways allowing for different cases and controls within the cohort, using prior and later test results and observations. Thus, this study was an observational retrospective case-cohort/nested case-control study.Setting/ParticipantsParticipants were recruited online via MEBO and TMAU support groups and on site, during the 3rd Annual MEBO Research conference held at Miami South Beach on June 23, 2012 and local meetups of support groups (Miami, Florida; New York, New York; Chicago, Illinois, US and Birmingham, England). Study population is individuals self-reporting systemic idiopathic malodor production. Inclusion criteria were good general health, desire and ability to travel to one of the participating sites and pay the lab fee. Exclusion Criteria were medical conditions that could prevent participation and age under 18.Study Interventions and MeasuresThe main study procedure was the application of a rapid point-of-care breath testing system to collect and concentrate alveolar breath VOCs on a sorbent trap, using breath collection apparatus (BCA) 5.0. Samples were sent to central laboratory and analyzed with gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy. In addition, the participants filled out food frequency questionnaires and were offered to use Aurametrix, online software tool based on a participant-initiated ecological momentary assessment approach, allowing to recall the events at any time later. The tool analyzed dietary intakes, activities and environmental exposures for both individual and aggregate level data.The primary endpoint was the composition of VOCs in breath samples, while diet and activity data, and results of alternative testing assessments were secondary endpoints. The main study outcome measure is the diagnostic accuracy of alveolar breath test in differentiating profiles of two main pre-defined sub-cohorts. Index of concordance with accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value will be reported. A number of factors was assessed for confounding.

Biological Factors Influencing Individual Responses to Propylene Oxide: A Systematic Review of Exogenous Exposure, Endogenous Production and Detoxification

“…Inhalation remains the primary route of occupational exposure to PO, notably in industries utilizing it for polyurethane polyols, propylene glycol production, or as a fumigant. The only publicly available report on levels of PO in exhaled human breath (Filser et al, 2008: 0.083-0.3 ppb), holds pivotal significance for analyzing data in the general population, as exemplified in preliminary results of our own study NCT03451994 (Gabashvili, 2021). Findings stress the importance of considering individual variability in response to PO exposure, influenced by factors like sex, dietary preferences, genetics, and physiology.…”

“…Inhalation remains the primary route of occupational exposure to PO, notably in industries utilizing it for polyurethane polyols, propylene glycol production, or as a fumigant. The only publicly available report on levels of PO in exhaled human breath (Filser et al, 2008: 0.083-0.3 ppb), holds pivotal significance for analyzing data in the general population This significance is further underscored by our own study, which identified higher levels of PO in a subset of environmentally sensitive individuals, suggesting individual metabolic variations that impact PO exposure and toxicity [5,16].…”

Propylene Oxide in Exhaled Breath as a Marker for Discriminating TMAU-like Conditions from TMAU

“…Breath samples were collected and concentrated using the portable Breath Collection Apparatus (BCA) 5.0, originally developed by Michael Phillips and refined over time [6,7]. This device, controlled by a microprocessor, collects alveolar breath onto an adsorbent tube, with collection duration and flow rate settings adjustable on the device.…”

“…This study utilized a cross-sectional design and included participants who met the predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The protocol for participant selection and data collection was previously established and published [6]. In 2012-2013, participants attended one in-person data collection session in four cities: Chicago, Illinois; Miami, Florida; New York, New York (USA) and London (UK).…”

Community-Based Phenotypic Study of Safety, Tolerability, Reactogenicity and Immunogenicity of Emergency-Use-Authorized Vaccines Against COVID-19 and Viral Shedding Potential of Post-Vaccination Infections: Protocol for an Ambispective study

“…Community-based decentralized clinical trials are still a new concept. Our previous virtual solutions [3][4][5][6] laid the foundation for such studies and showed their potential and importance for the future of healthcare.…”