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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #283770
Title: Assessment of the associated particle prompt gamma neutron activation technique for total body nitrogen measurement in vivo

Author
item SHYPAILO, ROMAN - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item WORKENEH, BIRUH - Baylor College Of Medicine
item ELLIS, KENNETH - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/15/2011
Publication Date: 3/25/2012
Citation: Shypailo, R.J., Workeneh, B., Ellis, K.J. 2012. Assessment of the associated particle prompt gamma neutron activation technique for total body nitrogen measurement in vivo [abstract]. In: Proceedings of American Nuclear Society International Topical Conference, 9th International Conference on Methods and Applications of Radioanalytical Chemistry, March 25-30, 2012, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Log: 154.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Total Body Nitrogen (TBN) can be used to estimate Total Body Protein (TBP), an important body composition component at the molecular level. A system using the associated particle technique in conjunction with prompt gamma neutron activation analysis has been developed for the measurement of TBN in vivo. The system uses a compact D,T neutron generator (approx. 107 n/s) coupled to an internal alpha-particle detector, and a counting system with six bismuth germinate (BGO) detectors. Fourteen subjects were scanned from shoulders to hips (20 min scan time, <0.4 mSv dose) generating complex spectra dominated by signals from C, O, H, and N, with significant peak overlap. Fractional contributions from these elements to regions of interest (ROI) spanning a 4- to 8-MeV range were determined by algorithms comparing ratios of interrelated ROIs. In addition, multi-component least squares fitting was done to further resolve individual peak activities (MATLAB R2011b). Total body potassium (TBK) was also measured using a whole body gamma counter. Predicted TBN values, based on fat-free mass estimated from TBK, were compared to measured TBN results. Measured versus predicted results for all subjects were not statistically different. Separating subjects by gender also showed no difference between measured and predicted values. The associated particle system showed good agreement with predicted TBN values, but measurement precision was not better than that commonly seen in traditional prompt gamma thermal neutron activation analysis systems.