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References 2025-12-04 13:12:45
Lactulose majorpublished
Lactulose
Researched by:
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Karen Pendergrass
ID
Karen Pendergrass
Read MoreKaren Pendergrass is a microbiome researcher specializing in microbiome-targeted interventions (MBTIs). She systematically analyzes scientific literature to identify microbial patterns, develop hypotheses, and validate interventions. As the founder of the Microbiome Signatures Database, she bridges microbiome research with clinical practice. In 2012, based on her own investigative research, she became the first documented case of FMT for Celiac Disease—four years before the first published case study.
Lactulose is a non-absorbable disaccharide composed of galactose and fructose that functions as a prebiotic, a selectively fermented ingredient that promotes the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the gut.
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Karen Pendergrass
Read More
Researched by:
-
Karen Pendergrass
ID
Karen Pendergrass
Read More
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Karen Pendergrass
Overview
Lactulose is a non-absorbable disaccharide composed of galactose and fructose that functions as a prebiotic, a selectively fermented ingredient that promotes the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the gut.[1] [1]. As a prebiotic, lactulose belongs to a category of potential microbiota-targeted interventions (MBTIs) that work by modifying the composition and metabolic activity of the gut microbiota rather than introducing external organisms directly.[2] Unlike probiotics, prebiotics are non-digestible food components that resist digestion in the human small intestine and reach the colon where they are fermented by the resident microbiota.[3]
Clinical Applications
Lactulose has been investigated for therapeutic potential across multiple disease conditions through its ability to modify the microbiota. In acute pancreatitis patients with intestinal dysfunction, lactulose administration prominently improved intestinal function over a 7-day period, with the microbiota analysis revealing enrichment of potential beneficial genus Bifidobacterium while pathogenic bacteria including Escherichia-Shigella and Neisseria decreased. [4] Notably, lactulose treatment also led to remarkably increased levels of short-chain fatty acids, suggesting enhanced metabolic output from the modified microbiota. [5] The growing body of evidence supports lactulose’s role as an effective microbiota-targeted intervention that works through selective enrichment of beneficial bacteria, enhanced production of health-promoting metabolites, and suppression of pathogenic taxa. These microbiota-mediated mechanisms make lactulose a valuable tool in the emerging arsenal of microbiome-targeted interventions (MBTIs) for managing dysbiosis-related conditions. [6]
Research Feed
Lactulose Regulates Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis in Acute Pancreatitis with Intestinal Dysfunction
Short-chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) •
Short-chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs)
Did you know?
Short-chain fatty acids produced by gut microbes supply up to seventy percent of the energy used by colonocytes, making them fundamental regulators of intestinal barrier integrity and inflammation.
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Lactulose Improves Fecal Microflora in CKD Patients
December 4, 2025
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Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) •
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Did you know?
The bidirectional relationship between diabetes and CKD creates a vicious cycle in which each condition perpetuates the other. Diabetic patients who develop CKD show accelerated progression of kidney disease and markedly increased cardiovascular event rates compared to nondiabetic CKD populations.
Alias iure reprehenderit aut accusantium. Molestiae dolore suscipit. Necessitatibus eum quaerat. Repudiandae suscipit quo necessitatibus. Voluptatibus ullam nulla temporibus nobis. Atque eaque sed totam est assumenda. Porro modi soluta consequuntur veritatis excepturi minus delectus reprehenderit est. Eveniet labore ut quas minima aliquid quibusdam. Vitae possimus fuga praesentium eveniet debitis exercitationem deleniti.
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Lactulose Improves Renal Function and Gut Microbiota in CKD
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) •
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Did you know?
The bidirectional relationship between diabetes and CKD creates a vicious cycle in which each condition perpetuates the other. Diabetic patients who develop CKD show accelerated progression of kidney disease and markedly increased cardiovascular event rates compared to nondiabetic CKD populations.
Short-chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) •
Short-chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs)
Did you know?
Short-chain fatty acids produced by gut microbes supply up to seventy percent of the energy used by colonocytes, making them fundamental regulators of intestinal barrier integrity and inflammation.
Alias iure reprehenderit aut accusantium. Molestiae dolore suscipit. Necessitatibus eum quaerat. Repudiandae suscipit quo necessitatibus. Voluptatibus ullam nulla temporibus nobis. Atque eaque sed totam est assumenda. Porro modi soluta consequuntur veritatis excepturi minus delectus reprehenderit est. Eveniet labore ut quas minima aliquid quibusdam. Vitae possimus fuga praesentium eveniet debitis exercitationem deleniti.
Create a free account to unlock this study summary.
Microbiome Insiders can read two study summaries for any topic on Microbiome.
Update History
Microbiome-Targeted Interventions (MBTIs)
Microbiome Targeted Interventions (MBTIs) are cutting-edge treatments that utilize information from Microbiome Signatures to modulate the microbiome, revolutionizing medicine with unparalleled precision and impact.
Microbiome-Targeted Interventions (MBTIs)
Microbiome Targeted Interventions (MBTIs) are cutting-edge treatments that utilize information from Microbiome Signatures to modulate the microbiome, revolutionizing medicine with unparalleled precision and impact.
Short-chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs)
Short-chain fatty acids are microbially derived metabolites that regulate epithelial integrity, immune signaling, and microbial ecology. Their production patterns and mechanistic roles provide essential functional markers within microbiome signatures and support the interpretation of MBTIs, MMAs, and systems-level microbial shifts across clinical conditions.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Dysbiosis in chronic kidney disease (CKD) reflects a shift toward reduced beneficial taxa and increased pathogenic, uremic toxin-producing species, driven by a bidirectional interaction in which the uremic environment disrupts microbial composition and dysbiotic metabolites accelerate renal deterioration.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Dysbiosis in chronic kidney disease (CKD) reflects a shift toward reduced beneficial taxa and increased pathogenic, uremic toxin-producing species, driven by a bidirectional interaction in which the uremic environment disrupts microbial composition and dysbiotic metabolites accelerate renal deterioration.
Short-chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs)
Short-chain fatty acids are microbially derived metabolites that regulate epithelial integrity, immune signaling, and microbial ecology. Their production patterns and mechanistic roles provide essential functional markers within microbiome signatures and support the interpretation of MBTIs, MMAs, and systems-level microbial shifts across clinical conditions.
References
- Fiber and Prebiotics: Mechanisms and Health Benefits.. Joanne Slavin.. (Nutrients. 2013.)
- The Role of Prebiotics in Modulating Gut Microbiota: Implications for Human Health.. Suyeon Yoo, Suk-Chae Jung et al.. (International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2024.)
- Review article: prebiotics in the gastrointestinal tract.. Sandra Macfarlane, G.T. Macfarlane et al.. (Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 2006.)
- Lactulose regulates gut microbiota dysbiosis and promotes short-chain fatty acids production in acute pancreatitis patients with intestinal dysfunction.. Wang J, Jiang M, Hu Y, Lei Y, Zhu Y, Xiong H, He C.. (Biomed Pharmacother. 2023;163:114769.)
- Lactulose regulates gut microbiota dysbiosis and promotes short-chain fatty acids production in acute pancreatitis patients with intestinal dysfunction.. Wang J, Jiang M, Hu Y, Lei Y, Zhu Y, Xiong H, He C.. (Biomed Pharmacother. 2023;163:114769.)
- Effects of lactulose on renal function and gut microbiota in adenine-induced chronic kidney disease rats.. Sueyoshi M, Fukunaga M, Mei M, Nakajima A, Tanaka G, Murase T, et al.. (Clin Exp Nephrol. 2019;23:908-919.)
Suyeon Yoo, Suk-Chae Jung et al.
The Role of Prebiotics in Modulating Gut Microbiota: Implications for Human Health.International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2024.
Sandra Macfarlane, G.T. Macfarlane et al.
Review article: prebiotics in the gastrointestinal tract.Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 2006.
Wang J, Jiang M, Hu Y, Lei Y, Zhu Y, Xiong H, He C.
Lactulose regulates gut microbiota dysbiosis and promotes short-chain fatty acids production in acute pancreatitis patients with intestinal dysfunction.Biomed Pharmacother. 2023;163:114769.
Read ReviewWang J, Jiang M, Hu Y, Lei Y, Zhu Y, Xiong H, He C.
Lactulose regulates gut microbiota dysbiosis and promotes short-chain fatty acids production in acute pancreatitis patients with intestinal dysfunction.Biomed Pharmacother. 2023;163:114769.
Read ReviewSueyoshi M, Fukunaga M, Mei M, Nakajima A, Tanaka G, Murase T, et al.
Effects of lactulose on renal function and gut microbiota in adenine-induced chronic kidney disease rats.Clin Exp Nephrol. 2019;23:908-919.
Read Review