Physiological effects of lactulose and inulin in the caecum of rats

Abstract

A model experiment was performed on rats to evaluate the effect of partial or total substitution of saccharose (S) and cellulose (C) by preparations of lactulose and inulin on the development and metabolism of the caecum. In the experimental diets given to rats for 4 weeks, the examined preparations were administered either with an equivalent amount of cellulose (each at 4% of the diet) or as sole source of dietary fibre at 8% of the diet. Compared to the saccharose group cellulose had no effect, and low doses of lactulose and inulin in the diet increased to a medium extent the weight of the caecum wall and caecal digesta. The addition of lactulose and inulin at 8% increased significantly the content of caecal digesta (4.62 and 4.11 g/100g BW, respectively) and the weight of the caecal wall (1.10 and 0.86 g/100g BW, respectively), compared to the groups with saccharose and cellulose (0.73, 0.90 and 0.24, 0.28 g/100g BW, respectively). Cellulose and cellulose partially-substituted with lactulose and inulin caused an increase in the dry matter content of caecal digesta (26.5–27.5%), compared to other groups (21.8–22.8%). The administration of lactulose and inulin preparations was accompanied by a significant drop in pH (5.47–5.81), compared to the groups with cellulose or saccharose (6.83–6.91), and a decrease in the ammonia concentration in the caecal digesta, compared to the cellulose control (0.27–0.40 and 0.62 mg/g, respectively). The group with 8% lactulose was characterized by the highest activities of microbiological α- and β-galactosidase and β-glucosidase in the caecal digesta. Cellulose and both preparations significantly decreased the activity of β-glucuronidase, compared to the saccharose group (0.39–0.89 and 1.52 U/g, respectively). The highest concentration of VFA in the caecal digesta was observed in the saccharose group (89.2 μmol/g), and the lowest concentration in the group where cellulose was totally substituted by lactulose and inulin (55.1 and 57.5 μmol/g, respectively). The total production of VFA in the caecum was fourfold higher with 8 % lactulose and inulin (254.7 and 236.4 μmol/100g BW, respectively) than in both controls groups (65.1 and 67.8 μmol/100g BW, respectively). The high dose of inulin and lactulose increased the share of propionic acid in the VFA profile (C₂:C₃:C₄) compared to both control groups. When 4% inulin was added to the diet a significant increase of butyrate concentration in the caecum was observed.

Keywords:

• Lactulose
• Inulin
• Caecum
• Digesta
• Enzyme activity
• Volatile fatty acids
• Rats

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the State Committee for Scientific Research, Grant No. PBZ-KBN/020/P06/1999