Failure of lactose-restricted diets to prevent radiation-induced diarrhea in patients undergoing whole pelvis irradiation.
Sixty-four patients were randomized prior to pelvic radiotherapy into one of three dietary groups: the control group maintained a regular diet except that they drank at least 480 cc of milk daily; the lactose-restricted group was placed on a lactose-restricted diet; and the lactase group drank at least 480 cc of milk with lactase enzyme added to hydrolyze 90% of the lactose. The patients kept records of their stool frequency and the number of diphenoxylate tablets required to control their diarrhea during a 5 week course of standard whole pelvis irradiation. The data does not support the concept that one of the mechanisms of radiation-induced diarrhea associated with pelvic irradiation is a reduction the ability of the intestine to hydrolyze ingested lactose due to the effect of the radiation on the small intestine. There was not a significant difference in stool frequency or diphenoxylate usage among the dietary groups.
D000818:Animals; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004157:Diphenoxylate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006868:Hydrolysis; D007785:Lactose / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007787:Lactose Intolerance / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008892:Milk; D010386:Pelvic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011897:Random Allocation; D001616:beta-Galactosidase
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004157:Diphenoxylate; D001616:beta-Galactosidase; D007785:Lactose