Effect of 4G-?-D-galactosylsucrose (lactosucrose) on fecal microflora in patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

Metabolic interaction between the intestinal microflora and the host has been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Elemental or low-fat, low-residual diets in patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis are reported to decrease anaerobic bacteria and to change the composition of the intestinal microflora. We examined the effect of an indigestible agent, 4G-beta-D-galactosylsucrose (lactosucrose), which is selectively utilized by intestinal Bifidobacterium, on the composition of the intestinal microflora. After the administration of lactosucrose to two patients with Crohn's disease and five patients with ulcerative colitis for 2 weeks, significant induction of the growth of Bifidobacterium was observed, and significant reduction in the population level of Bacteroidaceae was seen. Bowel movements improved in four patients. The intestinal environment, estimated by measuring fecal pH, fecal levels of short-chain fatty acids and putrid products, and the urinary secretion of indican, also improved in these patients. These results suggest that lactosucrose may be useful for patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

Lactosucrose production by various microorganisms harboring levansucrase activity

“…Although lactosucrose is poorly digested in the human small intestine, it is used to promote growth of intestinal Bifidobacterium, which is important for normal functioning of the digestive tract (Fujita et al 1991a, Teramoto et al 1996. Ingestion of lactosucrose by humans, dogs, cats, and chickens significantly increases number of bifidobacteria and decreases Clostridium perfrigens in the intestine (Terada et al 1992, 1993, 1994, Ohkusa et al 1995.…”

Long-Term Administration of 4G-.BETA.-D-Galactosylsucrose (Lactosucrose) Enhances Intestinal Calcium Absorption in Young Women: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled 96-wk Study

“…Calcium and magnesium in barley tea and urine were directly measured with an inductively coupled plasma emission spectrophotometer ( 26 ). Fecal pH was measured as previously described ( 29 ). The barley tea minerals were added to the dietary mineral intake.…”

“…The fecal phosphorus content was determined using a phosphate assay kit (Determiner L IP; Kyowa Medix). Fecal moisture, pH, putrefactive products (indole, skatole, phenol, p -cresol, and 4-ethylphenol), SCFA (acetic, propionic, and nbutyric acids), other organic acids (lactic, succinic, formic, and n -valeric acids), and ammonia were measured as previously described ( 29 ).…”

Lactosucrose attenuates intestinal inflammation by promoting Th2 cytokine production and enhancing CD86 expression in colitic rats

“…52,53) LS, a kind of prebiotics, is a good nutrient for bifidobacterium and has been reported to selectively induce the growth of bifidobacterium in healthy and IBD patient. 14,54) Bifidobacterium metabolizes LS to produce short chain fatty acid, which are not only a good energy source for enterocytes but also produce an acidic environment, preventing the growth of anaerobic bacteria. Iwagaki et al 55) reported that LS suppressed the growth of anaerobic bacteria in intestine.…”

“…LS promoted growth of bifidobacteria and stimulated short-chain fatty acid production in IBD patients. 14) Dietary administration of LS enhanced the secretion of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) 1 and IL-6 in peyer's patch cells. 15) LS inhibited serum immunoglobulin E production in ovalbumin/alum treated mice, and increased IL-10 production in splenocytes obtained from LS mice when stimulated in vitro with ovalbumin/alum.…”