Abstract
The present study was undertaken to investigate how lactulose and sorbitol influence on mineral utilization and intestinal microflora as compared to lactose.
Twenty-four male albino rats of Wistar strain with initial body weight averaging 75g were used in the experiment. After feeding of control diet for several days, the rats were randamly divided into four groups: lactose, lactulose, sorbitol and control groups. They were housed individually in metabolic cages. They were fed with respective diet for 46 days. Results are as follows: 1) Lactulose, lactose and sorbitol groups indicated higher calcium retention as compared with the control group. 2) Lactulose and sorbitol groups showed higher magnesium retention as compared with the control group. 3) Lactulose and sorbitol groups indicated lower pH value and higher weight of cecum as compared with the other groups. 4) No differences among counts of total bacteria and lactobacilli per one gram cecum content from the four groups were observed. But bifidobacteria of lactulose group increased significantly as compared with the other groups.
