Xylitol - Is it Safe?

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9544858?ordinalpos=2&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

Caries Res. 1998;32(2):107-12.
A descriptive report of the effects of a 16-month xylitol chewing-gum programme subsequent to a 40-month sucrose gum programme.
Mäkinen KK, Hujoel PP, Bennett CA, Isokangas P, Isotupa K, Pape HR Jr, Mäkinen PL.
Source

Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
Abstract

A previous caries trial (Belize studies) involved the usage of sucrose chewing-gum for a period of 40 months in one group of initially 10-year-old subjects in an environment of high sugar consumption, high caries activity, and limited access to restorative care. After the termination of the 40-month supervised sucrose gum usage, the 109 subjects of the original sucrose group retrieved at the endpoint of the original trial were invited to participate in a xylitol chewing-gum programme (involving the usage of the '100% pellet-shaped formular') for 16 months. The average daily consumption level of xylitol was up to 14 g per subject, normally used in seven daily chewing episodes. Although most subjects used chewing-gum at schools and received their gum portions from a school official, gum chewing during these 16 months was mostly unsupervised. After 16 months, 83 subjects (76%; mean age 14.9 years) were retrieved. The caries status of these subjects was examined by the same calibrated, blinded examiners as in the original trial. To mask the examiners, 141 similar non-participating subjects were recruited from the same school classes and were examined in a random order with the gum-using subjects, according to the same standard routine. The intensified xylitol gum usage for 16 months was associated with a reduction of the mean DMFS score from 10.9 (at 40 months) to 9.3 (at 56 months, p = 0.0013) and a reduction in caries rate from 20.1 caries onsets per 1,000 surface-years (40-month period average rate) to 10.2 caries onsets per 1,000 surface-years. The reduction in DMFS score resulted mostly from the change in the D component of the index and possibly reflected a stabilisation of the caries process and rehardening of some caries lesions to a non-progressive carious state.
 
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18350853?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

Int Dent J. 2008 Feb;58(1):41-50.
Thirty-nine-month xylitol chewing-gum programme in initially 8-year-old school children: a feasibility study focusing on mutans streptococci and lactobacilli.
Mäkinen KK, Alanen P, Isokangas P, Isotupa K, Söderling E, Mäkinen PL, Wenhui W, Weijian W, Xiaochi C, Yi W, Boxue Z.
Source

Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, Finland. kauko.makinen@uusikaupunki.fi
Abstract
AIM:

To investigate the use of xylitol-containing chewing-gums in public elementary schools as a means to affect the growth of salivary and plaque mutans streptococci and salivary lactobacilli.
DESIGN:

Over a period of 24 months, 750 8- to 9-year-old children chewed xylitol (X group; n = 255) or xylitol-sorbitol (XS group; n = 264) gum on school days (454 days over 2 years), or chewed no gum at all (C group; n = 231). Consumption of xylitol in the X and the XS groups was 6.6 and 5.4g per day, respectively. Use of gum took place at school in four daily episodes of which three were supervised by teachers. Following the 24-month chewing-gum period, the subjects were re-examined after 15 months (total follow-up period: 39 months) at which time an extraneous comparison group (ExC; n = 117) was also examined. The numbers of subjects examined after 39 months were: X, 239; XS, 248; C3 217.
METHODS:

Salivary and plaque levels of mutans streptococci and the salivary levels of aerobically cultured aciduric bacteria (mostly representing lactobacilli) were determined using the Orion Diagnostica Dentocult SM and LB test kits, respectively.
RESULTS:

There were statistically significant differences after 24 and 39 months between the two xylitol chewing-gum groups and the C group with regard to salivary and plaque mutans streptococci and salivary lactobacilli: the use of xylitol-containing chewing-gums significantly reduced these bacterial scores. The reductions were statistically more significant in the X group than in the XS group. The bacterial scores of groups C and ExC were similar.
CONCLUSIONS:

Long-term use of xylitol-containing chewing-gum can reduce the growth of mutans streptococci in saliva and dental plaque, and lactobacilli-type bacteria in saliva, even if xylitol is used only on school days. The results also suggest that xylitol gum use can have a long-term, delayed growth-retarding effect on these micro-organisms, since reduced bacterial growth was still observed 15 months following the termination of xylitol use. The results indicate a close biochemical relationship between xylitol and mutans streptococci, and suggest that a similar relationship may exist regarding aerobically cultured aciduric bacteria present in saliva.
 
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14700079?ordinalpos=31&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

J Electron Microsc (Tokyo). 2003;52(5):471-6.
Remineralization effects of xylitol on demineralized enamel.
Miake Y, Saeki Y, Takahashi M, Yanagisawa T.
Source

Department of Ultrastructural Science, Oral Health Science Center, Tokyo Dental College, 1-2-2 Masago, Mihama-ku, Chiba 261-8502, Japan. miake@tdc.ac.jp
Abstract

We morphologically determined the effects of xylitol on the remineralization of artificially demineralized enamel. The samples were demineralized and then immersed in a remineralizing solution with or without 20% xylitol at 37 degrees C for 2 weeks. Samples were observed using contact microradiography, a multipurpose image processor (MIP) and a high-resolution electron microscope (HRTEM). Contact microradiography indicated that remineralization occurred in the surface and deep layers of samples immersed in a non-xylitol solution. Samples immersed in a xylitol solution demonstrated less mineralization in the outer 10 microm of the outermost surface layers, but more mineralization in the middle and deep layers, than was observed in the non-xylitol samples. The MIP evaluation indicated that remineralization was more prominent in layers at depths of 50-60 microm in the xylitol samples than in the non-xylitol samples. Observation of the xylitol samples by HRTEM revealed crystals of various sizes and irregular shapes with unclear crystal angles in the outermost surface layers. In the middle layers, they had thickened and angles of crystals are clear. These results indicate that xylitol can induce remineralization of deeper layers of demineralized enamel by facilitating Ca2+ movement and accessibility.
 
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15116453?ordinalpos=51&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

Dent Assist. 2004 Mar-Apr;73(2):38-40.
Army's "look for xylitol first" program.
Richter P, Chaffin J.
Source

Dental Corps, U.S. Army Dental Command, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, USA.
Abstract

Xylitol is a sugar substitute not well known in the United States. This sugar substitute is not only low in calories but can also help prevent dental caries. The U.S. Army Dental Command's Health Promotion Program is constantly seeking additional prevention measures to enhance the oral health of America's Army. The Dental Command has created the "Look for Xylitol First" initiative aimed at training all members of the dental care team on the positive benefits of xylitol and to teach patients how to be smart consumers and evaluate products for their xylitol content.
 
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10765964?ordinalpos=2&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

J Dent Res. 2000 Mar;79(3):882-7.
Influence of maternal xylitol consumption on acquisition of mutans streptococci by infants.
Söderling E, Isokangas P, Pienihäkkinen K, Tenovuo J.
Source

Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, Finland. eva.soderling@utu.fi
Abstract

Xylitol is effective as a non-cariogenic sugar substitute. Habitual xylitol consumption appears to select for mutans streptococci (MS) with impaired adhesion properties, i.e., they shed easily to saliva from plaque. One hundred sixty-nine mother-child pairs participated in a two-year study exploring whether the mothers' xylitol consumption could be used to prevent mother-child transmission of mutans streptococci. All mothers showed high salivary levels of mutans streptococci during pregnancy. The mothers in the xylitol group (n = 106) were requested to chew xylitol-sweetened gum (65% w/w) at least 2 or 3 times a day, starting three months after delivery. In the two control groups, the mothers received either chlorhexidine (n = 30) or fluoride (n = 33) varnish treatments at 6, 12, and 18 months after delivery. The children did not chew gum or receive varnish treatments. MS were assessed from the mothers' saliva at half-year intervals and from the children's plaque at the one- and two-year examinations. The MS were cultured on Mitis salivarius agars containing bacitracin. The salivary MS levels of the mothers remained high and not significantly different among the three study groups throughout the study. At two years of age, 9.7% of the children in the xylitol, 28.6% in the chlorhexidine, and 48.5% in the fluoride varnish group showed a detectable level of MS. In conclusion, therefore, habitual xylitol consumption by mothers was associated with a statistically significant reduction of the probability of mother-child transmission of MS assessed at two years of age. The effect was superior to that obtained with either chlorhexidine or fluoride varnish treatments performed as single applications at six-month intervals.
 
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11385196?ordinalpos=8&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

Caries Res. 2001 May-Jun;35(3):173-7.
Influence of maternal xylitol consumption on mother-child transmission of mutans streptococci: 6-year follow-up.
Söderling E, Isokangas P, Pienihäkkinen K, Tenovuo J, Alanen P.
Source

Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, Finland. eva.soerlin@utu.fi
Abstract

Xylitol is effective as a noncariogenic or even cariostatic sugar substitute. Habitual xylitol consumption appears to select for mutans streptococci (MS) which shed easily into saliva from plaque. We have earlier shown that habitual xylitol consumption of mothers was associated with a statistically significant reduction in the probability of mother-child transmission of MS assessed at 2 years of age. The aim of the present study was to assess the children's MS counts 1 and 4 years after the maternal xylitol consumption had been discontinued. At baseline, during pregnancy, all mothers (n = 195) showed high salivary levels of MS. The mothers were randomly assigned to xylitol, fluoride (F) and chlorhexidine (CHX) groups. In the xylitol group, the mothers chewed xylitol-sweetened gum, for 21 months, starting 3 months after delivery. In the two control groups, the mothers received CHX or F varnish treatments at 6, 12 and 18 months after delivery. At the 2-year examination, 169 mother-child pairs participated. At the 3-year and 6-year examinations, there were 159 and 147 children in the study, respectively. For children's MS analyses, visible plaque was collected using toothpicks at the age of 3 and paraffin-stimulated saliva at the age of 6. The persons involved in the collection and analysis of the microbiological samples were blinded as to the study design and group. Both the plaque and salivary MS were cultured on Mitis salivarius agars containing bacitracin. In all groups, the colonization percentages increased during the follow-up. At the 3-year examination, the children's risk of having MS colonization was 2.3-fold in the F group (95% CI 1.3-4.2) compared to the xylitol group. This difference was statistically significant. Even at 6 years of age, the salivary MS levels were significantly lower in the xylitol group than in the other groups (ANOVA, p<0.001). In conclusion, the earlier demonstrated, xylitol-associated reduction in the probability of mother-child transmission of MS was still found in the children's MS counts at the age of 3 and 6 years.
 
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9003237?ordinalpos=6&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

J Dent Res. 1996 Nov;75(11):1892-900.
Emergence of multiple xylitol-resistant (fructose PTS-) mutants from human isolates of mutans streptococci during growth on dietary sugars in the presence of xylitol.
Trahan L, Bourgeau G, Breton R.
Source

Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Buccale, Faculté de médecine dentaire, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.
Abstract

The growth inhibition of mutans streptococci is one of the proposed mechanisms of action of xylitol, a caries-preventive natural carbohydrate sweetener. Xylitol is taken up and accumulated as non-metabolizable, toxic xylitol phosphate via a constitutive fructose PTS, and selects, during in vitro growth at the expense of glucose, for natural xylitol-resistant mutants that lack constitutive fructose PTS activity. Since long-term xylitol consumption leads to the emergence of xylitol-resistant mutans populations in humans in an oral environment containing sugars of dietary origin, we wanted to test the hypothesis that xylitol-resistant cells could be selected from mutans streptococci strains during in vitro growth on fructose, sucrose, or lactose. Three laboratory strains and three fresh mutans streptococcal isolates were repeatedly transferred in trypticase-yeast extract medium supplemented with glucose, fructose, sucrose, or lactose in the presence and absence of xylitol. Depending on the growth sugar, the presence of xylitol resulted in the selection of xylitol-resistant populations for several of the six strains tested, but not necessarily in the presence of all four sugars. All six strains rapidly became xylitol-resistant when grown on glucose in the presence of xylitol. All three fresh isolates became xylitol-resistant after 9 to 16 transfers in the presence of fructose or sucrose plus xylitol, while none of the laboratory strains became xylitol-resistant after 16 transfers in the presence of these sugars. The growth rates of 12 xylitol-resistant mutants in the presence of eight sugars suggested the existence of various types of xylitol-resistant mutants. The data partially explain the occurrence of xylitol-resistant mutans populations in long-term xylitol consumers and suggest a mechanism consistent with a selection process. Since various preliminary results suggest that xylitol-resistant natural mutants may be less virulent and less cariogenic than their parent strains, this selection process may alter, for the better, the mutans streptococci population of the plaque and play a role in the caries-preventive action of xylitol.
 
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17097152?ordinalpos=3&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2007 Jan;71(1):89-94. Epub 2006 Nov 9.
Tolerability of oral xylitol solution in young children: implications for otitis media prophylaxis.
Vernacchio L, Vezina RM, Mitchell AA.
Source

Slone Epidemiology Center at Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA. lvernacchio@slone.bu.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:

Xylitol, given as 2g orally five times-a-day, significantly reduces the incidence of acute otitis media (AOM) in children. A less frequent dosing schedule, if tolerable and efficacious, would promote the more widespread use of this treatment. We sought to determine the tolerability and acceptability in young children of oral xylitol solution at doses of 5g three times-a-day (TID) and 7.5g once daily (QD).
METHODS:

The study was a 3-month randomized placebo-controlled trial of the tolerability and acceptability of oral xylitol solution in 120 children 6-36 months of age performed in the SCOR Network.
RESULTS:

Study withdrawals and unscheduled medical visits for gastrointestinal complaints did not differ significantly among the study groups. The proportions of subjects in the xylitol TID group who experienced excessive gas or diarrhea at months 1, 2, and 3 were 22.7%, 10.0%, and 14.3%, respectively, and in the xylitol QD group were 27.3%, 17.4%, and 14.3%, respectively, and these did not differ from the placebo groups. The proportions who accepted the study solution easily or with only minor difficulty at 1, 2, and 3 months in the xylitol TID group were 77.3%, 90.0%, and 90.5% and in the xylitol QD group, 77.3%, 82.6%, and 90.5%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS:

Oral xylitol solution at dosages of 5g TID and 7.5g QD is well-tolerated by young children. Given the potential for xylitol as a safe, inexpensive option for AOM prophylaxis, clinical trials using these dosages of xylitol can be conducted.
 
Xylitol toxicity with pets.

In 2006 the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center issued a press release warning of potentially serious or even life-threatening problems caused by the ingestion of xylitol-sweetened products by dogs, due to the hypoglycemic effect it can produce. More recently, there has been a report that possibly xylitol can create this same ill effect in ferrets. For this reason it is suggested that all pet owners should always remain vigilant in their efforts to keep xylitol products out of the reach of pets.
Medical uses of xylitol.

[Chocolate can kill pets too!]

Diabetes
Xylitol is absorbed more slowly than sugar (sucrose). Because of this it does not contribute of elevated blood sugar levels and the associated hyperglycemia caused by insufficient insulin response.

Osteoporosis
Some research has suggested that xylitol consumption may have a use as a treatment for osteoporosis in the sense that it may help to increase bone density.

Ear and upper respiratory infections
Xylitol can assist in preventing ear infections (acute otitis media), at least in part by having an inhibitory effect on the causative bacteria.
 
I think we can now understand Ramiel Nagel's agenda: he wants to sell his books and his crappy diet.
 
We find here that aluminum is being used experimentally in BRAZIL to process SUGAR CANE xylitol.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10739093

Z Naturforsch C. 2000 Jan-Feb;55(1-2):10-5.
Downstream processing for xylitol recovery from fermented sugar cane bagasse hydrolysate using aluminium polychloride.
Silva SS, Ramos RM, Rodrigues DC, Mancilha IM.
Source

Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemical Engineering of Lorena, São Paulo, Brazil. silvio@debiq.faenquil.br
Abstract

Xylitol, a sweetener comparable to sucrose, is anticariogenic and can be consumed by diabetics. This sugar has been employed successfully in many foods and pharmaceutical products. The discovery of microorganisms capable of converting xylose present in lignocellulosic biomass into xylitol offers the opportunity of producing this poliol in a simple way. Xylitol production by biotechnological means using sugar cane bagasse is under study in our laboratories, and fermentation parameters have already been established. However, the downstream processing for xylitol recovery is still a bottleneck on which there is only a few data available in the literature. The present study deals with xylitol recovery from fermented sugar cane bagasse hydrolysate using 5.2 g/l of aluminium polychloride associated with activated charcoal. The experiments were performed at pH 9, 50 degrees C for 50 min. The results showed that aluminium polychloride and activated charcoal promoted a 93.5% reduction in phenolic compounds and a 9.7% loss of xylitol from the fermented medium, which became more discoloured, facilitating the xylitol separation.
 
_http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/xylitol-significantly-reduces-adherence-candida-albican

Abstract Title:

Effect of dietary carbohydrates on the in vitro epithelial adhesion of Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Candida krusei.

Abstract Source:

New Microbiol. 2000 Jan;23(1):63-71. PMID: 10946407

Abstract Author(s):

G Pizzo, G Giuliana, M E Milici, R Giangreco
Abstract:

Adhesion to epithelial surfaces is considered as a critical step in the pathogenesis of oral candidosis. Therefore, the effects of the most commonly consumed dietary carbohydrates on the adhesion of Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Candida krusei to monolayered HeLa cells were investigated. Adherence of C. albicans and C. tropicalis appeared significantly promoted by incubation in defined medium containing a high concentration (500 mM) of fructose, glucose, maltose, and sucrose (p < 0.001). C. albicans organisms grown in sucrose elicited maximal increase in adhesion, whereas adhesion of C. tropicalis and C. krusei was enhanced to the greatest extent when cultured in glucose. Maltose and fructose also promoted adherence of C. albicans and C. tropicalis (p < 0.001), but to a lesser extent than sucrose and glucose. On the other hand, sorbitol-grown yeasts demonstrated a marginal increase in adhesion (p > 0.01). Xylitol only significantly reduced adherence of C. albicans (p < 0.001). These results suggest that the frequent consumption of carbohydrates, such as sucrose, glucose, maltose, or fructose, might represent a risk factor for oral candidosis. The limitation of their consumption by substituting xylitol or sorbitol could be of value in the control of oral Candida colonization and infection

Article Published Date : Jan 01, 2000
Study Type : In Vitro Study
 
Xylitol may have leishmanicidal activity

_http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/xylitol-may-have-leishmanicidal-activity

Abstract Title:

Leishmania amazonensis: xylitol as inhibitor of macrophage infection and stimulator of macrophage nitric oxide production.

Abstract Source:

Exp Parasitol. 2008 May;119(1):74-9. Epub 2007 Dec 28. PMID: 18316079

Abstract Author(s):

Aline Siqueira Ferreira, Maria Aparecida de Souza, Nádia Rezende Barbosa, Silvio Silvério da Silva
Abstract:

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol being explored for clinical uses. The aim was to evaluate the effects of xylitol on Leishmania amazonensis-infected J774A.1 macrophages. Macrophages were infected with L. amazonensis for 3h, washed and incubated with 2.5 or 5.0% xylitol for 24, 48, and 72 h at 37 degrees C. Infection indexes for macrophages incubated only in medium were compared to those treated with xylitol. Cell viability and nitric oxide production were determined each time. Xylitol did not affect L. amazonensis or J774A.1 cell viabilities. Xylitol at 5.0% stimulated nitric oxide production by macrophages at 72 h (p<0.01). At 2.5 and 5.0%, xylitol inhibited nitric oxide production by L. amazonensis at 48 h (p<0.05) when compared to control. Infection indexes were significantly lower at 72 h (p<0.05), (16.9% and 9.6%) in cells cultivated with 2.5 and 5.0% xylitol, respectively, compared to control (38.4%). Results suggest a potential leishmanicidal action of the xylitol on infected macrophages.

Article Published Date : May 01, 2008
Study Type : In Vitro Study
 
Xylitol inhibits carcinogenic acetaldehyde production by Candida species.

http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/xylitol-inhibits-carcinogenic-acetaldehyde-production-candida-species


Abstract Title:

Xylitol inhibits carcinogenic acetaldehyde production by Candida species.
Abstract Source:

Int J Cancer. 2010 Dec 10. Epub 2010 Dec 10. PMID: 21154745

Abstract Author(s):

Johanna Uittamo, Mikko T Nieminen, Pertti Kaihovaara, Paul Bowyer, Mikko Salaspuro, Riina Rautemaa
Article Affiliation:

Research Unit on Acetaldehyde and cancer, University of Helsinki, Finland.
Abstract:

Acetaldehyde is a highly toxic and mutagenic product of alcohol fermentation and metabolism which has been classified as a Class I carcinogen for humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the WHO. Many Candida species representing oral microbiota have been shown to be capable of marked acetaldehyde production. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of various sugar alcohols and sugars on microbial acetaldehyde production. The study hypothesis was that xylitol could reduce the amount of acetaldehyde produced by Candida. Laboratory and clinical isolates of seven Candida species were selected for the study. The isolates were incubated in 12 mM ethanol and 110 mM glucose, fructose or xylitol at 37°C for 30 min and the formed acetaldehyde was measured by gas chromatography. Xylitol significantly (P<0.0001) reduced the amount of acetaldehyde produced from ethanol by 84%. In the absence of xylitol the mean acetaldehyde production in ethanol incubation was 220.5μM and in ethanol-xylitol incubation 32.8 μM. This was found to be mediated by inhibition of the ADH enzyme activity. Co-incubation with glucose reduced the amount of produced acetaldehyde by 23% and co-incubation with fructose by 29%. At concentrations that are representative of those found in the oral cavity during the intake of proprietary xylitol products, xylitol was found to reduce the production of carcinogenic acetaldehyde from ethanol by Candida below the mutagenic level of 40-100 μM.
Article Published Date : Dec 10, 2010
Study Type : In Vitro Study
 
Xylitol-supplemented nutrition enhances bacterial killing and prolongs survival of rats in experimental pneumococcal sepsis

http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/xylitol-supplemented-nutrition-enhances-bacterial-killing-and-prolongs-survival-rats


Abstract Title:

Xylitol-supplemented nutrition enhances bacterial killing and prolongs survival of rats in experimental pneumococcal sepsis.

Abstract Source:

BMC Microbiol. 2008 Mar 11;8:45. PMID: 18334022

Abstract Author(s):

Marjo Renko, Päivi Valkonen, Terhi Tapiainen, Tero Kontiokari, Pauli Mattila, Matti Knuuttila, Martti Svanberg, Maija Leinonen, Riitta Karttunen, Matti Uhari
Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Xylitol has antiadhesive effects on Streptococcus pneumoniae and inhibits its growth, and has also been found to be effective in preventing acute otitis media and has been used in intensive care as a valuable source of energy. RESULTS: We evaluated the oxidative burst of neutrophils in rats fed with and without xylitol. The mean increase in the percentage of activated neutrophils from the baseline was higher in the xylitol-exposed group than in the control group (58.1% vs 51.4%, P = 0.03 for the difference) and the mean induced increase in the median strength of the burst per neutrophil was similarly higher in the xylitol group (159.6 vs 140.3, P = 0.04). In two pneumococcal sepsis experiments rats were fed either a basal powder diet (control group) or the same diet supplemented with 10% or 20% xylitol and infected with an intraperitoneal inoculation of S. pneumoniae after two weeks. The mean survival time was 48 hours in the xylitol groups and 34 hours in the control groups (P < 0.001 in log rank test). CONCLUSION: Xylitol has beneficial effects on both the oxidative killing of bacteria in neutrophilic leucocytes and on the survival of rats with experimental pneumococcal sepsis.

Article Published Date : Mar 11, 2008
Study Type : Animal Study
 
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