Posted on 03/12/2015 10:26:02 AM PDT by Red Badger
Schematic of a real-time in vitro fecal fermentation gas-sensing system. Credit: Nam Ha
Microbes in the human body are estimated to outnumber human cells by 10 to 1, yet research on how they affect health is still in its infancy. A perspective article published by Cell Press on March 12th in Trends in Biotechnology presents evidence that gut microbes produce gases that may contribute to gastrointestinal diseases and could be used as biomarkers for one's state of health. As means to measure these potential biomarkers, the authors suggest two novel gas-sensing systems, one of which is an electronic gas sensor in the form of a pill you can swallow. These systems may offer a reliable and economical way to understand the impact of intestinal gases on human health, paving the way for the development of new diagnostic techniques and therapies.
"The human gut's effect on gastrointestinal diseases consumes a significant portion of health care expenditure every year worldwide," says senior author Kourosh Kalantar-zadeh, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. "Innovative point-of-care methodologies for assessing gut state and diagnosing relevant diseases, as described in this article, will bring unprecedented benefits to the general public by providing medical and diagnostic devices that significantly reduce medical costs and improve the efficiency of the health care system."
Different types of microbes found in the gut produce unique gases as a byproduct of their metabolism. For example, sulfate-reducing bacteria produce hydrogen sulfide, a pungent odor reminiscent of rotten eggs, while methanogenic archaea produce the odorless gas methane. Because these intestinal gases have been linked to diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and colon cancer, accurately measuring intestinal gases could accelerate knowledge about the potential contribution of specific gut microbes to various gastrointestinal health states. However, current methods such as breath analysis do not accurately reflect the composition of gases found in the gut, highlighting the need for more reliable approaches.
According to the authors, in vitro fermentation systems and swallowable gas capsules represent promising alternatives. Fermentation methods involve obtaining fecal samples from humans and culturing them in an oxygen-free, humid environment resembling the gastrointestinal tract. Gas samples are then collected from the fecal cultures and quantitatively analyzed to separate out different types of gases.
A more direct and accurate approach involves the use of encapsulated gas sensors that can be swallowed and sample gases while inside the intestine. These electronic gas sensor "pills" consist of a protective shell, a gas-permeable membrane window, a gas sensor, a microprocessor and wireless transmitter to process and transfer the data, and a miniature battery.
Schematic of a swallowable gas capsule. Credit: Nam Ha
The authors discuss options for overcoming various challenges to implementation and also recommend that future research focus on assessing the long-term performance of these systems. In the end, these advances could lead to more reliable and economical diagnostic devices.
"Because both techniques are noninvasive, they have the potential to significantly impact relevant medical industries and public health sectors, facilitating the formulation of point-of-care methodologies for diagnostics and potentially new diet- or drug-based therapies for gastrointestinal diseases," Kalantar-zadeh says.
Explore further: Health Check: The ins and outs of burping and farting
More information: Trends in Biotechnology, Ou et al.: "Human intestinal gas measurement systems: in vitro fermentation and gas capsules" (2015)
Journal reference: Trends in Biotechnology
WOW! What a gas.
If this means I don’t have to undergo a colonoscopy, then I’m investing in this company.
“Bad news, Mr. Drill - you appear to be suffering from Hoof and Mouth Disease.”
This story doesn’t pass the smell test.
Just a dollop of fermented cabbage (quite easily made) every couple of days works wonders from our experience.
why the stool sample? just fart into it.
Years ago the firm I worked for changed their health insurance provider forcing us to choose new doctors in a different clinic system. My wife was looking through the bios of the Doctors within the system and asked me who I wanted...I told her to look for the Doctor with the smallest fingers.
If your poop floats...its got a lot of gas in it. If it sinks...not so much.
Ben Franklin would be proud.
Aw crap. I thought it was going to be more of an amplitude and volume sensing device. Add in a piezo-electric sparking unit and you’ve got a frat party!
It is unobtrusively built-in to the driver's seat. I would love to have your endorsement because you are an authority figure in the automotive world. We will be at your home to custom fit the device to your automobiles. Give it a try and take notes on mileage, etc. Usual fees and expenses will apply, of course.
So far, most of the orders are coming in from rural Scotland, where many of the male drivers wear the kilt,which does facilitate installment.
That’s just great.
Now when I have to go the Dz
MV emissions testing station.
, they will put a vacuum hose up my butt and make me run the damn rollers.
“Mr. C your 1986 Jeep passed the tests, but you seem to have a problem with your personal methane emissions. Your tests results will be forwarded to the EPA and your Obamacare provider. Good luck with that. Snort”
Floaters and sinkers has more to do with the lipid content than trapped gas. The gas is what assists the pushing. A little authentic kimshi will stoke the pressure tank quite well.
hmmmm.....perhaps you should have mentioned attending your nephew’s birthday party at Taco Bell before we decided to remove your colon.
Have you ever had a colonoscopy?.................
I gotta get me one of those.
The last time a doctor performed the procedure on me, I related to him how painful the first time it was done on me by another doctor. This doctor said the first time he had it done, the doctor who performed it was a big guy with huge hands. You can imagine the result.
Moral of story: always have it done by docs with small hands.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.