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Implications of the variability in time to isotopic equilibrium in the deuterium dilution technique

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 61, pages 1250–1255 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

To investigate the variability in isotopic equilibrium time under field conditions, and the impact of this variability on estimates of total body water (TBW) and body composition.

Design and Setting:

Following collection of a fasting baseline urine sample, 10 women and 10 men were dosed with deuterium oxide (0.05 g/kg body weight). Urine samples were collected every hour for 8 h. The samples were analysed using isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Time to equilibration was determined using three commonly employed data analysis approaches.

Results:

Isotopic equilibrium was reached by 50, 80 and 100% of participants at 4, 6 and 8 h, respectively. The mean group equilibration determined using the three different plateau determination methods were 4.8±1.5, 3.8±0.8 and 4.9±1.4 h. Isotopic enrichment, TBW, and percent body fat estimates differed between early (3–5 h), but not later sampling times (5–8 h).

Conclusion:

Although the three different plateau determination approaches resulted in differences in equilibration time, all suggest that sampling at 6 h or later will decrease the likelihood of error in body composition estimates resultant from incomplete isotopic equilibration in a small proportion of individuals.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Connie Wishart for her laboratory assistance, Scott Wearing for his contribution to data analysis and Ryan van Asten for his assistance in the early phases of data collection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Human Movement Studies, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

    R C Colley, N M Byrne & A P Hills

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  1. R C Colley
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  2. N M Byrne
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  3. A P Hills
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Correspondence to R C Colley.

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Guarantor: RC Colley.

Contributors: RCC was responsible for the data collection, study design, manuscript writing, data analysis, data interpretation and statistical analysis. NMB initiated the study and was largely involved in the study design, data analysis, data interpretation, statistical analysis and manuscript editing. APH oversaw the initiation and design of the study and manuscript editing.

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Colley, R., Byrne, N. & Hills, A. Implications of the variability in time to isotopic equilibrium in the deuterium dilution technique. Eur J Clin Nutr 61, 1250–1255 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602653

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