Lactose intolerance, lactose malabsorption and genetic predisposition to adult-type hypolactasia in patients after restorative proctocolectomy.

This study provides up-to-date findings on lactose malabsorption, lactose intolerance and genetic predisposition to adult-type hypolactasia in 72 patients after restorative proctocolectomy (RPC). The lactose malabsorption was assessed by hydrogen-methane breath test. Genetic predisposition to adult-type hypolactasia was assessed by detecting -13910T/C polymorphism in the lactase gene. Lactose intolerance was more frequent in UC (ulcerative colitis) patients than FAP (familial adenomatous polyposis) patients (77.5% vs. 55.2%; p=0.01). The C/C genotype of the lactase gene was observed in 39.1% subjects with no significant difference between UC and FAP patients. Lactose malabsorption occurred in 10.1% of subjects and almost only in patients with genetic predisposition, with the same frequency in UC and FAP patients.

Conjugated linoleic acid does not affect digestion and absorption of fat and starch-a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled parallel study.

OBJECTIVE: Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is known as a potent agent for altering body weight and composition. However, its effect on the process of digestion is still unknown. The aim of this study has been to elucidate the effect of a 3-month supplementation with CLA on starch and fat digestion and absorption in humans. APPROACH: The study included 74 obese and overweight adults who were randomized to receive 3.0 g of CLA or sunflower oil as placebo daily for 3 months. Digestion and absorption of fat and starch was assessed using non-invasive breath tests with a stable 13C isotope (cumulative percentage dose recovery, CPDR) before and after the supplementation period. To exclude the effect of oxidation, in addition total energy expenditure (TTE) was measured by a 13C bicarbonate breath test. RESULTS: The changes in CPDR values (∆CPDR median 〈interquartile range〉) were no different between subjects from the CLA group and the placebo group (fat: -0.2 〈-9.1-4.1〉 versus 0.6 〈-7.0-8.0〉, p < 0.4796; starch: -1.3 〈-9.5-2.4〉 versus -1.0 〈-5.1-1.7〉, p < 0.5520, respectively). The incidence of negative and positive values of ∆CPDR was no different between groups [for fat: 53.1% versus 46.7%, RR 1.138, (95% CI 0.689-1.882) and for starch: 67.7% versus 56.7%, RR 1.195, (95% CI 0.804-1.777)]. The changes in TTE did not differ between the CLA and the placebo group (respectively 1 〈48; 267〉 versus -8 〈-120;93〉 kcal; p < 0.2728). CONCLUSION: Supplementation with CLA for 3 months did not affect fat and starch digestion assessed by 13C mixed triglyceride breath test and 13C starch breath test.

Mulberry leaf extract decreases digestion and absorption of starch in healthy subjects-A randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study.

PURPOSE: Mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaf tea has recently received much attention as a dietary supplement due to the wide range of putative health benefits, such as antidiabetic effects. Nevertheless, data evaluating its influence on carbohydrate metabolism in humans are scarce. The present study aims to investigate the effect of mulberry leaf extract supplementation on starch digestion and absorption in humans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised of 25 healthy subjects, aged 19-27 years. In all subjects, a starch 13C breath test was performed twice in a crossover and single blind design. Subjects were initially randomized to ingest naturally 13C-abundant cornflakes (50g cornflakes+100ml low fat milk) either with the mulberry leaf extract (36mg of active component-1-deoxynojirimycin) or the placebo and each subject received the opposite preparation one week later. RESULTS: The cumulative percentage dose recovery was lower for the mulberry leaf extract test than for the placebo test (median [quartile distribution]: 13.9% [9.9-17.4] vs. 17.2% [13.3-20.6]; p=0.015). A significant decrease was detectable from minute 120 after the ingestion. CONCLUSIONS: A single dose of mulberry leaf extract taken with a test meal decreases starch digestion and absorption. These findings could possibly be translated into everyday practice for improvement of postprandial glycemic control.

Pancreatic Elastase-1 Quick Test for rapid assessment of pancreatic status in cystic fibrosis patients.

BACKGROUND: At present, fecal elastase-1 ELISA determination is the most sensitive and specific tubeless pancreatic function test available. However, the results are not available the same day in routine clinical practice. This prospective study aims at evaluating the sensitivity and specificity of the Elastase-1 Quick™ Test by comparing the results with the ELISA test. METHODS: The study was composed of three groups: the screening-diagnosed cystic fibrosis (CF) patients (n=28), the screened, but non-CF subjects (n=36) and non-screened CF patients (n=62). Pancreatic status (normal vs abnormal) was evaluated using the Pancreas Elastase-1 Quick™ Test. Fecal elastase-1 concentration was determined with a commercially available ELISA kit, used as reference. The cut-off for abnormal results was set at <200µg/g of stool. RESULTS: The Pancreatic Elastase-1 Quick Test™ showed the following sensitivities and specificities in the studied groups: 92.8% and 96.6% in all subjects, 90.5% and 100% in screening samples, and 92.8 and 90.5% in CF patients. CONCLUSION: Pancreatic Elastase-1 Quick Test™ proves to be a rapid and reliable option to qualitatively evaluate pancreatic function for diagnostic purposes in a clinical setting of CF care.

Green tea extract decreases starch digestion and absorption from a test meal in humans: a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study.

Green tea is known worldwide for its beneficial effects on human health. However, objective data evaluating this influence in humans is scarce. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of green tea extract (GTE) on starch digestion and absorption. The study comprised of 28 healthy volunteers, aged 19 to 28 years. In all subjects, a starch (13)C breath test was performed twice. Subjects randomly ingested naturally (13)C-abundant cornflakes during the GTE test (GTE 4 g) or placebo test. The cumulative percentage dose recovery (CPDR) was significantly lower for the GTE test than for the placebo test (median [interquartile range]: 11.4% [5.5-15.5] vs. 16.1% [12.7-19.5]; p = 0.003). Likewise, CPDR expressed per hour was considerably lower in each point of the measurement. In conclusion, a single dose of green tea extract taken with a test meal decreases starch digestion and absorption.