Is There Any Mediterranean.pdf

Original Paper Digestion 2004;70:84–92 DOI: 10.1159/000080926 Is There Any Mediterranean Diet Not Affecting Bilitec Assessment of Bile Reflux? George Zacharioudakisa Emmanuel Chrysosa Elias Athanasakisa John Tsiaoussisa Konstandinos Karmoirisb Evaghelos Xynosa Departments of aGeneral Surgery, Laboratory Gastrointestinal Motility, and bGastroenterology, University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece Received: May 14, 2004 Accepted: July 5, 2004 Published online: September 16, 2004 Prof. E. Xynos Department of General Surgery University Hospital of Heraklion Heraklion, Crete, GR–711 10 (Greece) Tel. +30 2810 392 676, Fax +30 2810 542 063, E-Mail chrysos@med.uoc.gr ABC Fax + 41 61 306 12 34 E-Mail karger@karger.ch ? 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel 0012–2823/04/0702–0084$21.00/0 Accessible online at: /dig Key Words Gastroesophageal reflux W Duodeno-gastro-esophageal reflux W Bile reflux W Bilitec study W Bilirubin absorbance W Spectrophotometric studies W Food pigments Abstract Background: Colored food substances may interfere with Bilitec system that uses bilirubin as a marker for the detection of duodeno-gastro-esophageal reflux, causing false positive results. Therefore, diets have been sug- gested for consumption during Bilitec studies that con- tain minimal amounts of pigments. Aim: To enrich the list of suitable foods for Bilitec measurements with dishes common in Mediterranean diets, and improve subject’s compliance. Methods: Ninety substances were in vivo tested for ‘bilirubin absorbance’. ‘Dry’ substances were blended after being diluted in water, while ‘floppy’ substances and cooked foods were blended undiluted. Blended mixtures and ‘liquids’ were tested for bilirubin without further dilution and after being mixed with hy- drochloric acid. The procedure was repeated to assess reproducibility of the measurements. Results: Measure- ments are highly reproducible. Thirty five foods ex- hibited ‘bilirubin absorbance’ values safely below the threshold, and are considered