Abstract:

Objective: To investigate the influence of different concentrations of lactose-sweetened beverage on serum
glucose, lipid and uric acid levels in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods: Rats were given free access to tap water, 50,
100, 150 g/L lactose-sweetened beverage for eight weeks, respectively. The indexes including food intake, beverage
consumption, calories intake and body weight were measured at different time points during the experiment. Serum samples
were harvested for determining the levels of blood glucose (GLU), uric acid (UA), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC),
high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Results: Compared with
the control group, the total energy intake reduced significantly; moreover, the body weight in the 1st and 2nd week decreased
with statistical difference in the rats provided with 150 g/L lactose (P < 0.05). The GLU level in the treatment groups was
higher than that in the water control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The serum uric acid level in 50 and 100 g/L lactose groups
decreased significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), while the rats given access to 150 g/L lactose-sweetened beverage showed a
temporary increase of uric acid level in the 1st week (P < 0.05). The TG level in 100 g/L lactose group elevated significantly
in the 6th week (P < 0.05). A significant increase in TG level of rats given 150 g/L lactose was detected from the 1st week to
the 3rd week (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). In addition, the TC level increased significantly in the 2nd, 3rd and 7th week during this
experiment (P <0.05 or P < 0.01). A significant increase in LDL-C level was observed in the treatment groups (P < 0.05 or
P < 0.01). Conclusion: Diverse influence on serum glucose, lipid and uric acid level can be exerted by different
concentrations of lactose-sweetened beverage. The dose of lactose intake should be restricted in the application process.

Key words: lactose, blood glucose, blood lipid, uric acid