title: A modified D-xylose absorption test.
abstract: A modified D-xylose-test is described which enables intestinal absorption to be assessed independently of renal and hepatic function. The speed of appearance of the peak of D-xylose-concentration in plasma after an oral administrated dose and the extent of absorption in the small intestine as a time-function, were analysed by graphic-mathematical evaluation of the kinetics of plasma D-xylose concentration after oral and intravenous administration. Small intestinal functional integrity was assessed in 172 normal individuals (aged from 3 to 96 years), also in 9 patients with coeliac disease. The speed and the extent of D-xylose absorption were significantly reduced in all cases of untreated coeliac disease and during relapse. There were no differences between normal individuals and treated patients. Experience over many years indicates that the modified D-xylose-test is a simple, reliable and inexpensive standard method for detecting changes in intestinal absorption.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000175:diagnosis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000378:metabolism; D007700:Kinetics; D008286:Malabsorption Syndromes / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D014994:Xylose / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D014994:Xylose