[Effects of lactitol on fecal bacterial flora in patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy].

Lactitol, a non-absorbable synthetic disaccharide, was administered at a dose of 36g/day for 3-4 weeks to 8 patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy in order to investigate its effects on fecal bacterial flora and clinical symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. Lactitol significantly increased occupation ratio (ratio to total bacterial number) of anaerobic Bifidobacterium (before administration 7.1% --> after 4 weeks 46.0% (p < 0.05) as well as bacterial count of Lactobacillus. On the other hand, bacterial counts of Bacteroides and Clostridium, which are considered to be NH3-producing bacteria, and that of total aerobic bacteria were not markedly changed, but their occupation ratio were decreased after the administration. Further, tendencies toward decreased fecal pH, increased frequency of defecation and soft stools were observed. As for clinical efficacy, a decrease in blood ammonia concentration, improvement in mental state and flapping tremor were also observed.