Trehalose Tolerance Test

Abstract

Bergoz, R., Boite, J. P. & Meyer zum Bueschenfelde, K.-H. Trehalose toler-ance test. Its value as a test for malabsorption. Scand. J. Gastroent. 1973, 8, 657-663.

Trehalose is a disaccharide hydrolysed to glucose by the intestinal brush border enzyme trehalase. A trehalose absorption ratio is defined by the com-parison of trehalose and glucose tolerance tests. Normal values (> 0.30) have been established with 50 control patients. 51 patients with various intestinal disorders have been studied: an abnormal trehalose absorption ratio (< 0.26) is strongly associated with the presence of malabsorption of intestinal origin. A normalization of this ratio is observed early after treatment of the underlying disease. This test seems to be very sensitive and remains valid in conditions when the d-xylose elimination test cannot be used.

Key-words::

• Disaccharides
• glucose tolerance test
• glycoside hydrolases
• malabsorption syndromes
• trehalose absorption