Ureabreath

Ureabreath is a term used in the field of breath analysis to describe a breath-based diagnostic concept that focuses on urea and related metabolites in exhaled air. In its proposed form, ureabreath aims to provide non-invasive information about nitrogen metabolism, renal function, and gut microbial activity by sampling constituents derived from urea processing.

Principle and targets: Urea in the bloodstream and its breakdown products can influence the spectrum of volatile and non-volatile compounds present in exhaled breath. By using isotopically labeled urea tracers or by detecting specific urease-derivative compounds, ureabreath seeks to quantify rates of urea clearance, urease activity, or metabolic fluxes related to nitrogen handling.

Methods: Breath samples are collected using standard or enriched collection devices and analyzed with techniques such as isotope ratio mass spectrometry, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, or infrared spectroscopy. In tracer-based variants, a labeled urea compound is administered and the fractional production of labeled CO2 in breath is measured over time to estimate metabolic rates.

Applications and status: In research settings, ureabreath concepts are explored as supplementary tools for evaluating renal function, monitoring nitrogen balance, or characterizing gut microbial urease activity. The approach faces challenges including low biomarker concentrations in breath, variability due to lung function and diet, and the need for specialized instrumentation. As of now, ureabreath remains experimental and is not a standard clinical test.

See also: urea breath test, breath analysis, renal function testing.