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 with 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 intravenous insertion and baseline blood collection, a high-fat meal was consumed. Additional blood samples were collected at 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-h postmeal for determination of lipids [triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (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 h. Across both groups, the high-fat meal impacted triglycerides (increased), HDL-C (decreased), and apolipoprotein-B (decreased; PTime ≤ 0.001). The frequency of adverse postprandial triglyceride responses was higher in NWO compared with NWL females (P < 0.05). Furthermore, nonsignificant (PGroup ≤ 0.08), medium effect sizes ([Formula: see text] ≥ 0.12) were observed for triglycerides and apoB, consistent with NWO > NWL, regardless of time point. LBP and LBP:sCD14 increased, whereas sCD14 decreased, following the high-fat meal (PTime ≤ 0.05). In addition, NWO had higher LBP regardless of time point compared with NWL (PGroup < 0.05). All arterial stiffness measures decreased postmeal (PTime ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, this work provides early evidence of postprandial dyslipidemia and basal intestinal hyperpermeability in females with NWO.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We present new evidence that females with normal-weight obesity are characterized by postprandial dyslipidemia and basal intestinal permeability, which may be implicated in their documented cardiometabolic disease risk.