Moderate disaccharide malabsorption does not affect weight gain and cecal cell proliferation in piglets.

Abstract

Intestinal malabsorption of disaccharides or oligosaccharides occurs normally in preterm infants, the majority of the world's adult population when ingesting dairy products, and in sick patients with abnormal intestinal motility or intestinal damage. Although there may be benefit to colonic fermentation, there also could be mucosal damage from excessive fermentation. Moreover, excess fluid in the colon also may impair fermentation. There are few data that address the effects of moderate amounts of carbohydrate, such as 50% of intake, reaching the colon. We addressed the hypothesis that normal weight gain and stool characteristics would occur during disaccharide malabsorption approximating 50% of intake. Twelve piglets (aged 17 days) were randomized to receive control sow milk replacement formula (CON; lactose 60 g/L) or CON modified so that lactulose replaced 50% of the lactose (LAC). During a 5- to 7-day period, weight gain and fecal characteristics were observed before autopsy for cecal histology and determination of cecal cell proliferation using bromodeoxyuridine. Neither group developed diarrhea. In LAC and CON, formula intakes (g/kg/d) were similar (279 +/- 30 and 280 +/- 35), as were the ratios of weight gain:formula intake (g/mL): 0.23 +/- 0.04 and 0.22 +/- 0.04. Mean cecal cell proliferation was not diminished in the group receiving lactulose (p > .05). These data suggest that moderate (50%) disaccharide malabsorption per se does not cause diarrhea and does not impair dietary energy use or colonic cell proliferation.