Functional Response of the Digestive Tract to the Ingestion of Milk in Subjects Suffering from Lactose Intolerance

Abstract

The response of the digestive tract after ingestion of milk in lactase insufficiencies was investigated by X-ray. In subjects with lactose intolerance after milk the gastric evacuation is retarded, while there is a considerable simultaneous increase in the transit time through the small intestine. There is also an increased secretion in the small intestine. In the colon, pneumatosis starts from the moment the contrast substance reaches the caecum. These changes are not found after administration of lactose-free milk, where the findings are similar as in controls.

Milk Intolerance after Gastrectomy

“…Contrary to our previous findings in non-operated subjects with lactase insufficiency [10], in these six patients we found a more rapid evacua tion of the mixtures from the gastric stump. In keeping with the X-ray picture, lactose maldigestion, dyspeptic complaints and diarrhea were found only after ingestion of the lactose-containing mixture.…”

“…The subjects were examined as in a previous work [10]. By skiagraphy, the passage of 250 ml lactose containing milk Laktino (PMV, tSSR ) labelled with non-flocculating contrast substance (Laktino 67 g, water 135 g, Mixobar Astra 67 g) was compared with the results of the passage of lactose-free milk Lidalac (Lidano-Denmark), labelled in the same way, the lactose being replaced by sucrose (Lidalac 27 g, sucrose 35 g, water 135 g, Mixo bar 67 g).…”

“…The milk-food mixture was administered in the morning on fasting. In healthy subjects, the mixture is evacuated from the stomach, on average, in 3 'A h and reaches the cecum in 4 h [10].…”

“…In our previous work [10], concerned with the assessment of the functional response of the digestive tract to the ingestion of milk in subjects with lactose intolerance, we found that gastric evacuation of milk mixture becomes slower and at the same time the transit through the small intestine is more rapid as compared with that of lactose-free milk. Our attention was attracted by patients after gastrectomy with border values of lactase activity in bioptic specimens of the mucosa of the small intestine.…”

Diets in Lactose Intolerance

“…Lida-Lac (Lidano) is a powdered product of pure milk protein containing 85% protein, 1% fat, 1% calcium and 0.83% lactose only [6], This prepara tion proved useful in clinical trials [12,13]. Also, in the preparation of a prac tically lactose-free diet we proved its favourable organoleptic and technolo gical properties, which render it possible for use as a milk substitute.…”