IN-VITRO AND IN-VIVO LACTOSE AND LACTULOSE EFFECTS ON COLONIC FERMENTATION AND PORTAL-SYSTEMIC ENCEPHALOPATHY PARAMETERS

Lactose intolerance occurs in the majority of human groups, excluding people from Northern Europe. Because its effect is similar to that of lactulose, lactose seems to be an alternative treatment for patients w ith portal-systemic encephalopathy (PSE) and lactase deficiency. The m echanism of action of lactose is similar to that of lactulose. In vivo , lactose improves PSE parameters and causes acidic diarrhea. We perfo rmed in vitro studies in a fecal incubation system to investigate the biochemical and bacteriological effects induced by different substance s customarily used for the treatment of patients with PSE (lactose, la ctulose and Neomycin). In vitro experiments showed that lactose and la ctulose decreased aerobic flora counts and reduced the pH of fecal inc ubation. Both disaccharides reduced the ammonia concentration in the i ncubation system.