Metabolic effects produced in baboons associated with the ingestion of diets based on lactose hydrolysate

Diets containing 80% by weight carbohydrate provided by lactose hydrolysate (prepared by two different techniques), sucrose or glucose were given to baboons for 10-week periods. Fasting blood samples were taken regularly and the serum was assayed for galactose, glucose, insulin, triglyceride and cholesterol. The body weight of the animals was recorded. During both lactose hydrolysate dietary periods the mean fasting serum galactose concentration increased whereas the fasting serum glucose level fell initially. The fasting serum glucose concentration rose with both the glucose and the sucrose diets. The fasting serum triglyceride concentration of the female baboons increased significantly during both periods of ingestion of lactose-hydrolysate-based diets whereas the glucose and sucrose diets did not produce a significant effect. The sucrose diet produced a consistent increase in the mean triglyceride level of the male baboons. The mean serum cholesterol fell in the male and female baboons during all four diets.