Meal rich in carbohydrate, but not protein or fat, reveals adverse immunometabolic responses associated with obesity

Abstract

BackgroundObesity-related insulin resistance is linked to inflammation. Immunometabolic function differs between lean and obese subjects, but whether macronutrient composition of ingested meals affects these responses is not well known. We examined the effects of a single meal rich in fat, protein, or carbohydrate on immunometabolic responses.MethodsNine lean insulin sensitive (LIS) men and 9 obese insulin resistant (OIR) men ingested high-carbohydrate (HC), high-fat (HF) or high-protein (HP) mixed meals in random order. We assessed plasma glucose, insulin, and cytokine responses and cytokine gene expression in circulating mononuclear cells (MNC) at fasting and postprandial states (up to 6-h).ResultsExpression of NF-κB and TNFα genes were greater; whereas that of TGFβ and IL-6 genes were lower, in the OIR compared to the LIS individuals. The differences were significantly greater after the HC meal, but not after the HP or HF meal. Similar results were obtained for plasma concentrations of TNFα and IL-6.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that a single HC meal has a distinct adverse effect on immunometabolic responses in the OIR individuals. The cumulative effect of such adverse responses to meals rich in carbohydrate may predispose the OIR individuals to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12937-016-0219-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Reduced cognitive function, increased blood-brain-barrier transport and inflammatory responses, and altered brain metabolites in LDLr -/-and C57BL/6 mice fed a western diet

“…This indicates an increased serum lipid level alone may be insufficient to elicit these changes and that other factors may play a role. In contrast, studies have shown that high carbohydrate diets are sufficient to induce obesity, metabolic inflexibility, and inflammation [ 105 , 106 ]. Further, increased dietary sucrose is sufficient to alter cognition [ 107 – 109 ] and altering the source of dietary carbohydrates (sucrose or cornstarch) has been shown to impact life span in rodent models [ 110 ].…”

Plasma Protein and MicroRNA Biomarkers of Insulin Resistance: A Network-Based Integrative -Omics Analysis

“…The study methodology has been previously described in detail (Rizi et al, 2016). Briefly, we recruited nine obese (BMI ≥ 27.5 kg/m 2 ) insulin-resistant (OIR) and nine lean (BMI ≥ 18.5 and ≤ 23 kg/m 2 ) LIS Chinese males aged 21–40 years.…”

Genes Involved in Oxidative Stress Pathways Are Differentially Expressed in Circulating Mononuclear Cells Derived From Obese Insulin-Resistant and Lean Insulin-Sensitive Individuals Following a Single Mixed-Meal Challenge

“…Written consent was obtained from each subject before participation in this study. The methods have been published before (16–18). Briefly, we recruited 18 normoglycemic Chinese men (21–40 years; lean insulin-sensitive, n = 9 and obese insulin-resistant, n = 9).…”

“…It is well-known that acute or chronic consumption of a diet rich in (i.e., >50% of caloric composition of) carbohydrate, fat, or protein can worsen the pro-inflammatory and pro-oxidant state associated with obesity, albeit in separate studies (5, 11–15). We have previously shown that the postprandial inflammatory, metabolic and satiety/appetite hormonal responses associated with obesity differ based on the macronutrient content of the meal challenge (16–18). A meal high in carbohydrate, not fat or protein, best elicited these differential responses.…”