Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 3, 2026
04:16
Individualized Reconstitution of Human Milk Microbiota: A Feasible Approach in Real-World Settings
Published on: February 7, 2025
911
Microbiota stability in healthy individuals after single-dose lactulose challenge-A randomized controlled study
Sandra Y Wotzka1, Markus Kreuzer1, Lisa Maier1
1Institute of Microbiology, D-BIOL, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
Plos One
|October 26, 2018
Summary
A single 50g dose of lactulose did not alter E. coli levels in healthy volunteers. This suggests lactulose is unlikely to promote growth of H2-consuming pathogens like Salmonella Typhimurium.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiome Research
- Infectious Disease
Background:
- Lactulose is a common food ingredient and therapeutic agent.
- Lactulose fermentation by gut microbiota produces hydrogen (H2).
- Increased H2 may favor growth of H2-consuming enteropathogens like Salmonella Typhimurium.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of a single lactulose dose on Escherichia coli (E. coli) abundance in healthy individuals.
- To assess if lactulose alters the gut environment, potentially predisposing to enteropathogen infection.
Main Methods:
- 32 healthy volunteers received either 50g lactulose or 50g sucrose (control).
- Expiratory H2 levels and symptoms were monitored post-ingestion.
- Stool samples were analyzed for E. coli counts and microbiota composition.
Main Results:
- Lactulose ingestion caused diarrhea and increased H2 levels in most participants.
- E. coli counts in stool remained stable before and after lactulose or sucrose challenge.
- Gut microbiota composition showed no significant changes post-lactulose.
Conclusions:
- A single 50g dose of lactulose does not significantly change E. coli density in healthy volunteers.
- Lactulose is unlikely to create conditions favoring infection by H2-consuming enteropathogens.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:11Bioavailability Study Design: Single Versus Multiple Dose Studies
243
Bioavailability studies are essential for understanding how a drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted in the body. These studies assess the extent and rate at which the active pharmaceutical agent becomes available at the site of action. The design of bioavailability studies can involve single-dose or multiple-dose regimens, each with distinct advantages and limitations.Single-dose studies are the preferred approach due to their simplicity and reduced drug exposure for...
243
01:20Bioequivalence Experimental Study Designs: Completely Randomized and Randomized Block Designs
248
Body:Bioequivalence experimental study designs are crucial methodologies used in evaluating and comparing the bioavailability of different drug products. These designs are categorized into various types: completely randomized, randomized block, repeated measures, cross and carry-over, and Latin square designs.Completely randomized designs involve randomly allocating treatments to all subjects participating in the experiment. This allocation is achieved by assigning unique random numbers to...
248
01:15Bioavailability Study Design: Healthy Subjects Versus Patients
156
Bioavailability studies are essential for evaluating a drug's therapeutic efficacy and understanding its absorption patterns under various physiological conditions. Conducting such studies on target patient populations provides more relevant data by simulating real-world disease states. However, practical challenges often necessitate the use of young, healthy adult volunteers as study subjects.Patients may exhibit altered drug absorption patterns due to the effects of the disease itself,...
156
01:53RNA Stability
35.7K
Intact DNA strands can be found in fossils, while scientists sometimes struggle to keep RNA intact under laboratory conditions. The structural variations between RNA and DNA underlie the differences in their stability and longevity. Because DNA is double-stranded, it is inherently more stable. The single-stranded structure of RNA is less stable but also more flexible and can form weak internal bonds. Additionally, most RNAs in the cell are relatively short, while DNA can be up to 250 million...
35.7K
01:23Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches
471
Biopharmaceutical studies constitute a vital field aiming to enhance drug delivery methods and refine therapeutic approaches, drawing upon diverse interdisciplinary knowledge. In research methodologies, the choice between controlled and non-controlled studies significantly influences the study's reliability and accuracy.
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast,...
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast,...
471
03:18Nuclear Stability
23.3K
Protons and neutrons, collectively called nucleons, are packed together tightly in a nucleus. With a radius of about 10−15 meters, a nucleus is quite small compared to the radius of the entire atom, which is about 10−10 meters. Nuclei are extremely dense compared to bulk matter, averaging 1.8 × 1014 grams per cubic centimeter. If the earth’s density were equal to the average nuclear density, the earth’s radius would be only about 200 meters.
To hold positively charged protons together...
To hold positively charged protons together...
23.3K