Table 2.
Oral zinc supplementation reduced diarrheal scores following lactulose-induced osmotic diarrhea
| Day | UN N = 11 | UN + Zn N = 12 | P | UN + Lac N = 12 | UN + Lac + Zn N = 12 | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8 |
0 (0–0) |
0 (0–0) |
ns |
0 (0–0) |
0 (0–0) |
ns |
|
9 |
0 (0–0) |
0 (0–0) |
ns |
2 (0–4) |
1 (0–4) |
ns |
|
10 |
0 (0–0) |
0 (0–0) |
ns |
1 (0–3) |
0 (0–1)* |
<0.05 |
|
11 |
0 (0–0) |
0 (0–0) |
ns |
2 (1–4) |
0.5 (0–4)* |
<0.05 |
|
12 |
0 (0–0) |
0 (0–0) |
ns |
2 (1–4) |
0.5 (0–4)* |
<0.05 |
|
13 |
0 (0–0) |
0 (0–0) |
ns |
2 (0–4) |
0 (0–4)* |
<0.05 |
| 14 | 0 (0–0) | 0 (0–0) | ns | 2 (1–4) | 1 (0–2)* | <0.05 |
Normal stools: normal texture, consistency, and dryness.
Diarrhea scores: + = wet stools; ++ = pasty stools; +++ = semiliquid stools; ++++ = watery diarrhea.
Data are reported as median score. The score total range is shown in parenthesis. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunns post-test.
Groups: UN = undernourished controls; UN + Zn = undernourished rats treated with oral zinc acetate (500 mg/L); UN + Lac = undernourished rats challenged by saturated lactose (30 g/Kg); UN + Lac + Zn = Zinc-treated undernourished rats challenged by saturated lactose (30 g/Kg).