3. Aims of the study

The aim of this study was to clarify factors which may improve, pharmacologically or otherwise, the digestibility of lactose in order to reduce lactose-induced gastrointestinal symptoms.

More specifically, the present study had the following aims:

1. To prove the accuracy and usefulness of a simple, portable breath hydrogen analyser (Micro H₂) in oral lactose tolerance tests (I).
2. To evaluate whether the gastric emptying rate (II) or the temperature of the test solution (III) affects the development of lactose-induced symptoms.
3. To investigate the possible role of acute inflammation and inflammatory mediators, such as prostaglandins and nitric oxide, in the development of lactose-induced symptoms (IV).
4. To assess whether, in an experimental model, lactase expression and activity are inducible by dietary lactose in the intestinal epithelium (V).