Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 30, 2026
An In Vitro Batch-culture Model to Estimate the Effects of Interventional Regimens on Human Fecal Microbiota
Published on: July 31, 2019
Inulin is an ideal substrate for a hydrogen breath test to measure the orocaecal transit time
K P Geboes1, A Luypaerts, P Rutgeerts
1Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Catholic University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. Karen.Geboes@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
Background:
A better substrate is needed for a hydrogen breath test to measure the orocaecal transit time. The currently used substrate, lactulose, accelerates the orocaecal transit time by increasing the osmolality of the gut contents. The recently developed lactose 13C-ureide breath test is reliable, but a hydrogen breath test is preferred, as it allows the simultaneous investigation of the digestion and absorption of nutrients by means of 13C-labelled compounds.
Methods:
The usefulness of different types of inulin as a substrate for a hydrogen breath test was studied. Raftilin HP (>99% inulin with a degree of polymerization of between 5 and 60 and <0.5% glucose, fructose and sucrose) was further evaluated and compared with lactulose with regard to its effects on gastric emptying and the digestion of protein and lipids.
Results:
A good correlation was found between the orocaecal transit times using Raftilin HP (338 min; interquartile range, 300-383 min) and lactose 13C-ureide (353 min; interquartile range, 285-375 min) (r=0.85; P<0.001). The administration of 5 or 10 g Raftilin HP had no influence on the orocaecal transit time, whereas lactulose significantly shortened the orocaecal transit time. Neither inulin nor lactulose had a significant influence on gastric emptying or protein or lipid assimilation.
Conclusion:
Raftilin HP is an ideal substrate for a hydrogen breath test to measure the orocaecal transit time.
![Assessment of Gastric Emptying in Non-obese Diabetic Mice Using a [13C]-octanoic Acid Breath Test](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F50301.jpg&w=3840&q=50)
Related Concept Videos
01:30Serum Laboratory Studies, Stool Test, Breath Test
01:09Methods for Studying Drug Absorption: In situ
The Doluisio method involves perfusing a prepared segment of a rat's small intestine with a solution of radiolabeled drug and a non-absorbable marker. This helps to differentiate between absorbed and non-absorbed drug concentrations. The intestinal segment is connected at both ends using tubing and syringes,...
01:26Imaging Studies III: Gastrointestinal Motility Studies and Virtual Colonoscopy
Radionuclide Testing
Radionuclide testing is a sophisticated medical technique for assessing gastrointestinal motility. It focuses on gastric emptying and colonic transit time. Radioactive markers track the movement of food through the digestive system, providing insights into gastrointestinal disorders.
In gastric emptying studies, a meal's liquid and solid...
01:16Methods for Studying Drug Absorption: In vitro
The diffusion cell method uses a two-compartment cell, including a donor compartment with the drug solution, which simulates the environment where the drug is applied, and a receptor compartment with a buffer solution, which simulates the environment...