Lactulose In Treatment Research Articles

Efficacy of polyethylene glycol 3350 as compared to lactulose in treatment of ROME IV criteria-defined pediatric functional constipation: A randomized controlled trial.

Functional constipation is a common childhood problem, with a prevalence of approximately 3% worldwide. The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 3350 and lactulose in the treatment of pediatric functional constipation. A total of 100 subjects with functional constipation were enrolled and centrally randomized to receive PEG 3350 (0.7-1.5 mg/kg/day) or lactulose (0.7-2.0 g/kg/day). There was a significant increase in median (min, max) stool frequency within 1 week in the PEG 3350 group as compared to the lactulose group (1 [0, 3] to 8 [3, 39] vs. 1 [0, 3] to 7 [1, 17]) (p-value < 0.01). The trend was maintained at week 2, week 3 (p-value < 0.01), and week 4 (p-value = 0.05) with the PEG 3350 group reporting higher weekly median stool frequency than the lactulose group. The PEG group reported significant reduction in painful bowel movements from 68.8% subjects at baseline to 43.8% at the end of first week, whereas the lactulose group reported an increase from 48.9% to 73.3% (p-value = 0.05). Other parameters of constipation, i.e. straining, large diameter stool, and large fecal mass as reported subjectively by parents, significantly decreased from baseline to the end of the study in the PEG 3350 arm compared to those in the lactulose arm. At the end of week 4, there was a statistically significant reduction in all the ROME IV-defined criteria between the two groups. This study proved that the PEG 3350 treatment group had early symptom relief and significant improvement compared to the lactulose group in pediatric functional constipation. Clinical Trials Registry India (CTRI/2018/01/011061).

Can partially hydrolyzed guar gum be an alternative to lactulose in treatment of childhood constipation?

In the present study, we aimed to investigate if partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) can be used safely as a fiber source for treatment of constipation in children and to compare its success with the most commonly used osmotic laxative, lactulose. A randomized prospective controlled study on 61 patients (partially hydrolyzed guar gum group, n: 31; lactulose group, n: 30) was performed. Patients were given lactulose or partially hydrolyzed guar gum for four weeks. Using a standardized bowel diary, defecation frequency, stool consistency, and presence of flatulence and abdominal pain were recorded. Family questionnaires about the success, safety and side effect profile of both treatment arms were also obtained. No significant differences were found in the baseline daily fiber (fruits and vegetables) intake between the two groups. Bowel movement frequency per week and stool consistency improved significantly in both treatment groups (p<0.05). The percent of children with abdominal pain and stool withholding also decreased eminently in both groups (p<0.05). Weekly defecation frequency increased from 4±0.7 to 6±1.06 and from 4±0.7 to 5±1.7 in the lactulose and partially hydrolyzed guar gum treated groups, respectively (p<0.05). According to the family questionnaire, the parents complained of bad taste, flatulence and necessity to ingest a high amount of drug in the lactulose treatment group. In the partially hydrolyzed guar gum treatment group, parents were satisfied with the defecation frequency of their children. Treatment with partially hydrolyzed guar gum is as effective as lactulose treatment in relieving stool withholding and constipation-associated abdominal pain, and its use improves stool consistency. Lactulose seemed to have more side effects, including flatulence and sensation of bad taste.

Comparison of polyethylene glycol 4000 and lactulose for treatment of chronic functional constipation in children

Purpose : The aim of this study was to compare 2 laxatives, namely, polyethylene glycol 4000 without electrolytes and lactulose, evaluating the efficacy and safety for the treatment of constipation in children. Methods : Fifty-six children with chronic functional constipation were randomly assigned to receive polyethylene glycol 4000 (24 patients) or lactulose (32 patients). Patients or their parents reported defecation frequency, stool consistency, abdominal pain, stool incontinence and side effects after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months of treatment. Percentage of recovered patients were compared with each group. Results : Defecation frequency, abdominal pain and stool incontinence were improved in each group. At 12 months of follow up, 60% of patients treated with polyethylene glycol and 57.7% of patients treated with lactulose were considered as recovered. Conclusion : In this study, both polyethylene glycol and lactulose were equally effective and safe in the long-term treatment of constipation in children. There were no significant differences in recovery rates between 2 groups.

Combined human growth hormone and lactulose for prevention and treatment of multiple organ dysfunction in patients with severe chronic hepatitis B

To evaluate the efficiency and safety of combined recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) and lactulose for treatment and/or prevention of multiple organ dysfunction in patients with chronic severe hepatitis B. Forty-eight inpatients with chronic severe hepatitis B were randomly divided into rhGH group (n=28) and control group (n=20). In rhGH group, 4-4.5 IU of rhGH was injected intramuscularly once daily for 2-4 wk, and 100 mL of enema containing 30 mL of lactulose, 2 g of metronidazole and 0.9% saline was administered every 2 d for 2-4 wk. Their symptoms and complications were noted. Liver and kidney functions were analyzed by an Olympus analyzer. Serum GH, IGF-1, IGFBP1 and IGFBP3 were measured by ELISA. Clinical symptoms of 90% of these patients in rhGH group were obviously improved. The total effectiveness in rhGH group was better than that in control group (75% vs 40%, P<0.05). After 2- and 4-wk treatment of rhGH respectively, serum albumin (26.1+/-4.1 vs 30.2+/-5.3, 31.9+/-5.1 g/L), prealbumin (79.6+/-28.0 vs 106.6+/-54.4, 108.4+/-55.0 g/L), cholesterol (76.3+/-16.7 vs 85.6+/-32.3, 96.1+/-38.7 mg/dL), and IGFBP1 (56.8+/-47.2 vs 89.7+/-50.3 ng/mL after 2 wk) were significantly increased compared to control group (P<0.05). However, serum GH was decreased. The increase of serum IGF1 and IGFBP3 after rhGH treatment was also observed. rhGH in combination with lactulose may be beneficial to the prevention and treatment of multiple organ dysfunction in patients with chronic severe hepatitis.

Bee-collected pollen and lactulose in treatment of chronic hepatitis B in children

Bee-collected pollen and lactulose in treatment of chronic hepatitis B in children

Bee-collected pollen and lactulose in treatment of chronic hepatitis B in children

Bee-collected pollen and lactulose in treatment of chronic hepatitis B in children