LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Lactulose: Colon
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Lactulose is a carbohydrate and energy source for colonic saccharolytical bacteria. Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli metabolise Lactulose into several SCFA (short chain fatty acids). Total biomass, stoole volume and osmotic pressure is increased and pH is decreased resulting in a accelerated bowel movements and shorter transit time.
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Lactulose is a type of sugar. It is broken down into mild acids in the colon (the end part of the intestinal tract). These acids draw water into the colon and thereby soften the stool.
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Lactulose may aid in lowering serum triglycerides in some. The mechanism of this possible effect is unclear. Decreased hepatocyte de novo synthesis of triglycerides is one hypothetical possibility. Lactulose may ... lower total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels in some. Again, the mechanism of this possible effect is unclear. Propionate, a product of lactulose fermentation in the colon, may inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting step in cholesterol synthesis.
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Lactulose given orally to humans results in only small amounts reaching the blood by absorption through the small intestine probably by a nonmediated diffusion mechanism. The small increases in blood sugar are probably attributable to the small amounts of galactose and lactose ... present in lactulose syrup. The small amount of absorbed lactulose is subsequently excreted unchanged in the urine (3% or less) within 24 hours. A small quantity of lactulose is probably hydrolysed in the colon into its constituent monosaccharides, galactose and fructose. The end result is a change in osmotic pressure and acidification of the colonic contents resulting in an increase in stool water content with resultant distension and softening of the stool which in turn promotes increased peristalsis and bowel evacuation.
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Lactulose can help in the treatment of inflammatory intestinal diseases and prevent the emergence of gallstones as well as intestinal infections. Initial evidence of this already exists. Subsequent studies still have to be carried out.... The same applies for the assumption that lactulose could prevent the emergence of colon cancer.
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Lactulose reaches the colon virtually unchanged. There it is metabolised by colonic bacteria to lactic acid and other shortchain carboxylic acids. The end result is a change in the osmotic pressure and acidification of the colonic contents resulting in an increase in stool water content with resultant distention and softening of the stool which in turn promotes increased peristalsis and bowel evacuation. It may take 48 hours before an effect is obtained.
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