[A simple method to detect disaccharides deficiency]

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Biochemistry
• Diagnostic Medicine

Background:

• Disaccharide malabsorption, including lactase, sucrase, and maltase deficiencies, affects nutrient absorption and can cause gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Accurate and timely diagnosis of these enzyme deficiencies is crucial for effective patient management.
• Existing diagnostic methods may be time-consuming, expensive, or require specialized equipment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a simple, rapid, and cost-effective method for detecting lactase, sucrase, and maltase deficiencies.
• To enable in-situ enzymatic activity assessment during endoscopic procedures.
• To compare the utility of this novel method with established diagnostic approaches.

Main Methods:

• A duodenal biopsy sample is incubated with lactose, sucrose, or maltose solution.
• A commercial glucose-reactive agent is added to the sample.
• Enzymatic activity is indicated by a colorimetric change (red color) due to glucose release.

Main Results:

• The method successfully detects the presence or absence of lactase, sucrase, and maltase activities.
• The procedure is straightforward to perform during endoscopy.
• The assay is rapid and utilizes inexpensive, commercially available reagents.

Conclusions:

• This novel method offers a practical and efficient approach for diagnosing disaccharidase deficiencies.
• Its simplicity and speed make it suitable for immediate assessment during endoscopic examinations.
• The technique holds potential as a valuable tool in routine gastroenterological diagnostics.