Effects of a high-fat meal on inflammatory and endothelial injury biomarkers in accordance with adiposity status: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: It is known that consuming a high-fat meal (HFM) induces microvascular dysfunction (MD) in eutrophic women and aggravates it in those with obesity. Our purpose was to investigate if the MD observed after a single HFM intake is caused by endothelial damage or increased inflammatory state, both determined by blood biomarkers.

Methods: Nineteen women with obesity (BMI 30-34.9 kg/m²) and 18 eutrophic ones (BMI 20.0-24.9 kg/m²) were enrolled into two groups: Obese (OBG) and Control (CG), respectively. Blood samples were collected at five-time points: before (fasting state) and 30, 60, 120, and 180 min after HFM intake to determine levels of adipokines (adiponectin, leptin), non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), inflammatory [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6)] and endothelium damage [soluble E-selectin, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1)] biomarkers.

Results: Levels of soluble E-selectin, leptin, and PAI-1 were higher in OBG at all-time points (P < 0.05) compared to CG. In the fasting state, OBG had higher levels of NEFA compared to CG (P < 0.05). In intra-group analysis, no significant change in the levels of circulating inflammatory and endothelial injury biomarkers was observed after HFM intake, independently of the group.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that women with obesity have an increased pro-inflammatory state and more significant endothelial injury compared to eutrophic ones. However, the consumption of a HFM was not sufficient to change circulating levels of inflammatory and endothelial injury biomarkers in either group.

Registration number for clinical trials: NCT01692327.

Keywords: Endothelium; High fat meal; Inflammation; Obesity; Postprandial period.

Fig. 1

Experimental Design. (BS – blood sample collection; BP – blood pressure)

Fig. 2

- Adipokines responses elicited by high-fat meal in control (CG) and obese (OBG) groups. (* P < 0.05 intergroup; # P < 0.05 intragroup (compared to baseline))

Fig. 3

- Endothelial biomarkers responses induced by high-fat meal in control (CG) and obese (OBG) groups. (* P < 0.05 intergroup; # P < 0.05 intragroup (compared to baseline))