Food flavors on the breath may reveal hidden liver disease

NCT ID NCT05935488

Completed Diagnosis Sponsor: Owlstone Ltd Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jul 09, 2026 · Last updated Jul 10, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study explores whether a simple breath test can detect early liver fibrosis in people with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Participants fast overnight, then drink a mixture of food-grade flavor compounds and provide breath samples over 90 minutes. The way the body processes these flavors may change with liver disease, offering a potential non-invasive diagnostic tool.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: food-grade flavor compounds (Exogenous Volatile Organic Compounds)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could lead to a simple, non-invasive breath test to detect early liver fibrosis, reducing the need for biopsies.
What could go wrong: This is a very small early study with only one participant, so results may not apply to others. The breath test may not reliably distinguish between healthy and diseased livers.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

cirrhosis of liver fibrotic liver disease liver disorder metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

LIVER DISEASES LIVER FIBROSIS NASH

Contacts and locations

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Locations

North Norfolk Primary Care

Norwich, Norfolk, NR11RB, United Kingdom

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