BACTERIAL ADAPTATION IN PATIENTS WITH SHORT-BOWEL AND COLON IN CONTINUITY

Background & Aims: Long-term carbohydrate malabsorption in patients wi th short bowel and colon in continuity (SEC) could result in a more ef ficient fermentation. The bacterial fermentation capacity in patients with SEC was assessed. Methods: Eleven fasting patients with SEC inges ted 60 g lactulose with 10 g polyethylene glycol. Stool specimens were analyzed. Patients were compared with 8 normal subjects who ingested 60 g lactulose on two occasions, separated by 8 days during which 20 g lactulose was taken twice daily. Moreover, the daily amount of bacter ia excreted in stools was measured in 6 patients with SEC and 6 normal subjects. Results: Despite fast transit time, patients fermented more lactulose and hexoses and had a higher activity of beta-galactosidase in stools than nonadapted normal subjects (P < 0.01); these parameter s were roughly similar in patients and adapted normal subjects. The fe cal output of short-chain fatty acids was significantly lower in patie nts than in nonadapted normal subjects (P < 0.03). Patients excreted a significantly greater amount of bacteria in stools than normal subjec ts (P < 0.05). Conclusions: In patients with SEC, the capacity of bact erial flora to ferment lactulose and fecal bacterial mass is spontaneo usly increased, suggesting that hyperfermentation may affect other car bohydrates. Moreover, hyperfermentation is associated with efficient r emoval of extra short-chain fatty acids from fecal water.