Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are easily evaporated substances produced by pathophysiologic metabolism and have been utilized in research as potential new biomarkers for differentiating various diseases, acting as the odor imprints of each disease. Researchers used metal oxide semiconductors to examine the properties of VOCs produced by diabetic kidney disease patients. Also, the VOCs of those with diabetic kidney disease were then compared with those of healthy individuals and patients with nephrotic syndrome. The study found that VOCs primarily composed of hydrogen, methanol, and sulfate in diabetic kidney disease patients had a significantly different ability to release free electrons from the metal oxide semiconductors compared to healthy individuals and patients with nephrotic syndrome from other causes. This finding suggested that VOCs could be used as biomarkers which could lead to the replacement of renal biopsy for diagnosis in the future.
This study was a descriptive cohort study. General data such as age, gender, medications, other medical conditions, or chronic diseases that might have affected the urine VOCs test were reviewed and recorded from the medical records of subjects who attended the outpatient clinic of the Internal Medicine department at the Suranaree University of Technology Hospital from March 2024 to July 2024. Urine samples from diabetic patients, both with and without abnormal proteinuria, were compared with normal urine samples and urine samples from patients with NS from other causes.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
The authors opted to utilize five distinct commercially available semiconductors (metal oxide sensors) to detect all the targeted VOCs which were manufactured by Figaro company. Urine samples from patients were placed in a urine container, which was then placed into the VOCs detection device. The lid was closed, and the system was set to operate in a closed-loop mode at a room temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. The device then vacuumed VOCs from the urine samples of the patients through a gas tube into the biosensor chamber located on top, where analysis was performed.
Institute of Medicine, Suranaree University of Technology
Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
Characteristic of VOCs in DKD
Electrical resistance characteristic VOCs by semiconductors in DKD when compared to normal and NS
Time frame: March 2024- July 2024
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