Fig. 5: Lactulose to mannitol ratio.

The lactulose to mannitol ratio (LMR) is an indicator of barrier integrity. Lactulose is a slightly absorbed disaccharide that undergoes elimination, while mannitol is a polyol highly absorbed in the intestinal mucosa. Higher levels of LMR suggest the presence of a functional and integer intestinal barrier, however, when this ratio is lower, barrier disruption is expected [136]. Created with BioRender.com.