Influence of metronidazole on the breath hydrogen response and symptoms in acarbose-induced malabsorption of sucrose.

Abstract

The influence of metronidazole on the breath hydrogen response and symptoms of sucrose malabsorption was investigated in a double-blind, randomized and controlled study. Carbohydrate malabsorption was induced by the competitive alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, acarbose. Metronidazole reduced flatulence and the breath hydrogen response during sucrose malabsorption without a change in intestinal carbohydrate absorption, as indicated by serum levels of gastric inhibitory polypeptide, serum insulin and blood glucose. The effect of metronidazole suggests that anaerobic bacteria mediate both signs and symptoms of the colonic response to sucrose malabsorption. In contrast to previous reports on lactose malabsorption, it was not possible to quantify sucrose malabsorption by comparing the breath hydrogen response to sucrose malabsorption with the H2 response to a lactulose load.