Excretion of urinary volatile metabolites in response to alloxan induced diabetes of short duration in rats.

Alterations in urine volatile metabolites due to the induction of alloxan diabetes in the rat were examined by capillary gas chromatography and gas chromatography--mass spectrometry for the five days immediately following the onset of chronic hyperglycemia. Elevations of a number of metabolites were observed including several short chain ketones, acetophenone, 2-acetylfuran and indole. The value of urine volatile metabolic profiles as characteristic indicators of the diabetic condition is demonstrated through profiles obtained from a diabetic animal which spontaneously reverted to normal.