Effect of oral lactulose on the pathogenesis of acute renal failure in experimental extrahepatic cholestasis

Abstract

The role of lactulose in the prevention of renal failure in rats with obstructive jaundice has been evaluated in a prospective trial. 50 male Wistar rats were divided into five groups: (1) Control group (n = 10), (2) Extrahepatic cholestasis, renal ischaemia group (n = 10), (3) Extrahepatic cholestasis, renal ischaemia, oral bile salt group (n = 10), (4) Extrahepatic cholestasis, renal ischaemia, gut sterilisation group (n = 10) and (5) Extrahepatic cholestasis, renal ischaemia, oral lactulose group (n = 10). Biochemical, histopathological and microbiological findings are discussed. Postoperative deterioration of renal histopathology was lower in the oral. lactulose group than in the second, third, and fourth groups. Protection by lactulose was superior to that of other agents used.