Skip to main content

Treatment of lactose intolerance with exogenous beta-D-galactosidase in pellet form

European Journal of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics volume 23, pages 350–355 (1998)Cite this article

Summary

The effectiveness of a new beta-D-galactosidase pellet formation in the treatment of lactose intolerance was studied.

The encapsuled beta-D-galactosidase (lactase) pellets were first tested in vitro for their enzymatic activity within an environment simulating gastric conditions and subsequently within an environment simulating duodenal conditions. Effectiveness was measured by the % of glucose formed by hydrolysis of lactose. The pellets were found to retain their enzymatic activity in gastric pH conditions (mean 69±1mg/dl glucose) and were found to hydrolyse lactose in human duodenal fluid (106.35±1 mg/dl).

Finally the effectiveness of the new lactase formation on glucose absorption was studied in 8 lactose intolerant subjects in a randomized, double blind, crossover trial. After fasting, the subjects were given one capsule containing 100 u/ml beta-galactosidase (i.e. 10 pellets of 10 u/ml each) or one capsule containing placebo pellets, followed by 100g lactose dissolved in water. The washout period between lactose challenges was one week. Plasma glucose concentrations were measured before and at intervals after the challenges and the subjects completed symptom questionnaires every eight hours for 24 hours.

Results showed a statistically significant in plasma glucose levels 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after lactose ingestion (repeated measures analysis of variance, p<0.01). Subjective ratings of the severity of abdominal cramping, belching, flatulence, vomiting and diarrhoea were significantly decreased following ingestion of the lactase pellets and lactose (no incidence of diarrhoea) compared with after ingestion of placebo and lactose.

The results of the study were considered to be very promising as the beta-D-galactosidase formulation (which was produced at very low cost and with great ease) resisted inactivation in the stomach, effectively transformed lactose to glucose in vivo and reduced symptoms of lactose intolerance.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

43,34 €

Price includes VAT (Finland)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  1. Pray W.S., (1990): Lactose intolerance. U.S. Pharm., 15:24,26, 28–29.

  2. Hammond J.B., Littman A., (1985): Disaccharide malabsorption. In: Berk, J.E., (Ed.), Bochus gastroenterology, Vol. 3, 4th ed. Philadelphia, Saunders, pp. 1703–1717.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Scrimshaw N.S., Murray E.B (1988): The acceptability of milk and milk products in populations with a high prevalence of lactose intolerance. Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 48(Suppl4), 1079–1159.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Jeffrey A., (1987): Efficacy of lactase-treated milk for lactose intolerant pediatric patients. Clin. Lab. Obs., 3:1, Feb. 10.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Olson R.E. (1988): Efficacy of exogenous lactase for lactose intolerance. Nutr. Rev., 46, 150–1.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Chew F., Villar J., (1988): In vitro hydrolysis with beta-galactosidase for treatment of intolerance to human milk in very low birthweight infants. Acta Pediatr. Scand., 77, 601–602.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Fernando Lami et al. (1988): Efficacy of addition of exogenous lactase to milk in adult lactase deficiency. Am. J. Gastroenterol., 83, 1145.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. DiPalma J.A., Collins M.S. (1989): Enzyme replacement for lactose malabsorption using a beta-D-galactosidase. J. Clin. Gastroenterol., 11, 290–3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Sanders S.W., Tolman K.G., Reitberg D.P. (1992): Effect of a single dose of lactase on symptoms and expired hydrogen after lactose challenge in lactose-intolerant subjects. Clin. Pharm., 11, 533–538.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Gaska J.A. (1990): Treatment of lactose intolerance. Am. Drug, 202, 36–40, 42–43.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Arnott H. (1992): Lactose intolerance-its causes and treatment. On. Contin. Pract., 19, 30–32.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Esaka M., Suzuki K., Kubota K. (1985): Agric. Biol. Chem., 49, 2955–2960.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Kurz G., Wallenfels K. (1974): Bergmeyer, H.U. (Ed.), Methoden der enzymatischen Analyse 3 Aufl. Bd. 2. S. pp. 1225–1229 S. pp. 1324–1327, Verlag Chemie, Weinheim; and Bergmeyer, H.U. (Ed.), Methods of enzymatic analysis 2nd ed. Vol3, pp. 1180–1184 and pp. 1279–1282, Verlag Chemie, Weinheim, Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Beutler H.O. (1984): Bergmeyer, H.U. (Ed.), Methods of enzymatic analysis 3rd ed. vol. VI, pp. 104–112, Verlag Chemie, Weinheim.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Moskowitz M., Curtis C., Galaver J. (1987): Does oral enzyme replacement therapy reverse intestinal lactose malabsorption? Am. J. Gastroenterol., 82, 632–635.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Onwulata C.I., Rao D.R., Vankineni P. (1989): Relative efficiency of yogurt, sweet acidophilus milk, hydrolysedlactose milk and a commercial lactase tablet in alleviating lactose maldigestion. Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 49, 1233–1237.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Arola H., Koivula T., Jodely H. (1988): Comparison of indirect diagnostic methods for hypolactasia. Scand. J. Gastroenterol., 23, 351–357.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Dekker R.F. (1989): Immobilization of a lactase onto a magnetic support by covalent attachment to polyethylenediamine-glutaraldehyde-activated magnets. Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol., 22 (3), 289–310.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Allergy Section, Department of Dermatology, University of Athens, A. Sygros Hospital, Athens, Greece

    K. Xenos

  2. Laboratory of Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics, Department of Pharmacy, University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    S. Kyroudis

  3. Gastroenterology Clinic, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece

    A. Anagnostidis

  4. Analytical Chemistry Department, University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    P. Papastathopoulos

Authors
  1. K. Xenos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. Kyroudis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. Anagnostidis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. P. Papastathopoulos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Xenos, K., Kyroudis, S., Anagnostidis, A. et al. Treatment of lactose intolerance with exogenous beta-D-galactosidase in pellet form. European Journal of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics 23, 350–355 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03189363

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03189363

Keywords

  • Lactose intolerance
  • beta—D—galactosidase pellets
  • glucose absorption