Influence of long-term administration of lactulose and Saccharomyces boulardii on the colonic generation of phenolic compounds in healthy human subjects.
OBJECTIVE
Proteins are degraded in the colon by bacterial fermentation into potentially toxic metabolites such as phenolic compounds. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether long-term administration of lactulose or Saccharomyces boulardii cells would result in a lower protein degradation. In addition, the influence of a long-term dietary intake on different gastrointestinal parameters was investigated.


METHODS
The effect of long-term intervention of the substrates was evaluated in a randomized, cross-over study in 43 healthy volunteers. At the start of the study and at the end of each 4-week treatment period, urine was collected during 48 h in different fractions and faeces during 72 h. Breath test samples and blood samples were taken to study gastrointestinal parameters.


RESULTS
No influence of long-term administration of both substrates was found on GE, OCTT and serum lipids. A significant decrease in small intestinal permeability was found after long-term dietary intervention with lactulose. Long-term administration of lactulose significantly decreased urinary p-cresol excretion, but did not lower fecal p-cresol excretion. No significant effects were observed after S. boulardii intake.


CONCLUSIONS
The results obtained in present study have indicated that colonic amino acid fermentation can be reduced by the administration of lactulose as a fermentable carbohydrate.
De Preter
Vicky
V
Department of Gastrointestinal Research, University Hospital Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Coopmans
Tamara
T
Rutgeerts
Paul
P
Verbeke
Kristin
K
D000328:Adult; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D001944:Breath Tests; D003106:Colon / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003408:Cresols / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005285:Fermentation; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000187:drug effects; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit; D006801:Humans; D007792:Lactulose / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010539:Permeability; D012440:Saccharomyces / Q000378:metabolism*
D000596:Amino Acids; D003408:Cresols; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; C032538:4-cresol; D007792:Lactulose