Lactose-free milk powder can effectively relieve diarrhea symptoms in weaning SD rats and children

Diarrhea has become the leading cause of illness and death among infants and young children in developing countries. Clinically, patients with diarrhea showed damaged intestinal epithelial villi, usually accompanied by lactase def iciency. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of lactose-free milk powder on rats and children with diarrhea. Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) model was established by gavage with antibiotic mixture in SD rats, followed by administration of milk powder containing lactose or not. The results showed that lactose-free milk powder ameliorated AAD-related diarrhea symptoms, and accelerated the recovery from diarrhea. And 16S sequencing results indicated lactose-free milk powder contributed to increase the α- and β-diversity of intestinal f lora, and restore the intestinal microbiota disorder. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that lactose-free milk powder could alleviate diarrhea by restoring gut microbiota and intestinal barrier function.