Females with Normal-Weight Obesity Display Evidence of Postprandial Dyslipidemia and Basal Intestinal Permeability

Females with a normal body mass index (BMI) and high body fat percent (i.e., normal-weight obesity or NWO) are at increased risk for cardiometabolic diseases compared to normal-weight lean (NWL) counterparts. However, underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we examined postprandial lipids, gut permeability biomarkers, and arterial stiffness outcomes as potential factors implicated in cardiometabolic disease development. Females (N=33) with a normal BMI were grouped as NWO (body fat percent ≥33.0%; n=18) or NWL (body fat percent <33.0; n=15). Following IV insertion and baseline blood collection, a high-fat meal was consumed. Additional blood samples were collected at 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-hours post-meal for determination of lipids (triglycerides, HDL-C, apolipoprotein [apo] B) and intestinal permeability biomarkers (lipopolysaccharide binding protein [LBP], soluble cluster differentiation 14 [sCD14], LBP:sCD14). Pulse wave analysis and pulse wave velocity were measured as indicators of arterial stiffness at 0, 2, and 4 hours. Across both groups, the high-fat meal impacted triglycerides (increased), HDL-C (decreased), apolipoprotein-B (decreased; P_Time≤0.001). The frequency of adverse postprandial triglyceride responses was higher in NWO compared to NWL females (p<0.05). Further, non-significant (P_Group≤0.08), medium effect sizes (ηp²≥0.12) were observed for triglycerides and apoB, consistent with NWO>NWL, regardless of time point. LBP and LBP:sCD14 increased, while sCD14 decreased, following the high-fat meal (P_Time≤0.05). Additionally, NWO had higher LBP regardless of time point compared to NWL (P_Group<0.05). All arterial stiffness measures decreased post-meal (P_Time≤0.05). In conclusion, this work provides early of evidence of postprandial dyslipidemia and basalintestinal hyperpermeability in females with NWO.