Intestinal Permeability Assay Kit (ab272540) is based on measuring the ratio of the absorption of two non-metabolized sugars  through the intestines. Test subjects drink a prescribed amount of lactulose and mannitol and the % absorption of these sugars is determined by the amount of excreted lactulose and mannitol measured during the first 6 hours after ingestion. The degree of intestinal permeability is reflected by the ratio of the % absorption of lactulose to % absorption of mannitol. An increase in this ratio indicates increased intestinal permeability since lactulose is only absorbed though intercellular spaces. Lactulose and mannitol are measured in separate assays using the included Lactulose Assay Kit and Mannitol Assay Kit, respectively.

Simple and convenient: Both assays require addition of single working reagent and can be completed within 60 minutes. Both assays are performed at room temperature. No 37°C heater is needed.

High-throughput: Can be readily automated as a high-throughput 96- well plate assay for thousands of samples per day.

Detection Limit: Mannitol - 7 μM; Lactulose - 3 μM.