Lactulose could decrease intestinal permeability and levels of serum endotoxin in patients with NASH

Objective To investigate intervention effect of lactulose on intestinal permeability in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH).Methods Thirty healthy adults and sixty patients with NASH were divided into 3 groups: health group(group A),NASH control group(group B,30 patients) and lactulose treated group(group C,30 patients).Their serum endotoxin,diamine oxidase,D-Lactate and ALT levels were measured respectively.The group C was treated with lactulose(10 mL/d).After 4 weeks treatment,their serum endotoxin,diamine oxidase,D-Lactate and ALT levels were detected again in group B and C.Results Compared with group A,serum endotoxin,diamine oxidase and D-Lactate levels increased(P0.01) in group B and C.Four weeks later,serum endotoxin,diamine oxidase,D-Lactate and ALT levels decreased remarkably(P0.01) in group C,but they did not change obviously in group B(P0.05).Conclusion Lactulose could effectively decrease intestinal permeability and levels of serum endotoxin in patients with NASH.