ISSN:
1365-2036
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Background : The effects of lactulose and polyethylene glycol on colonic transit are poorly established.Aim: To assess the effects of these laxatives on colonic transit in normal subjects.Methods : Colonic transit (mean residence time, cumulative counts in stool, counts remaining in the proximal or distal colon) was measured scintigraphically in normal subjects on the second and third day of a 3-day ingestion of 67–134 g/day lactulose, or 59 g/day polyethylene glycol.Results : At similar stool weight (lactulose: 653 ± 120 g/day; polyethylene glycol: 522 ± 66 g/day), transit was significantly slower during 99 g/day lactulose when compared with 59 g/day polyethylene glycol; this was most pronounced in the distal colon (mean residence time: lactulose – 403 ± 55 min; polyethylene glycol – 160 ± 41.9 min). Short chain fatty acid concentration in 24-h stool correlated significantly with counts remaining in the distal colon at 12 h(r = 0.79, P = 0.001). Increasing lactulose doses were significantly associated with increasing stool weight (r = 0.79) and shorter mean residence time in the total (r = −0.56) and distal colon (r = −0.64). The sum of faecal carbohydrates plus short chain fatty acids was associated with stool weight (r = 0.95, P 〈 0.001).Conclusion : Lactulose accelerates colonic transit. However, compared with polyethylene glycol, transit during lactulose is prolonged.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2036.2005.02244.x
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