Impaired Gut-Vascular Axis as a Unique Driver of Cardiovascular Disease in Metabolically Healthy Obesity
The investigators seek to better understand how a single high-fat meal impacts gut, immune, and vascular outcomes in individuals with metabolically healthy obesity (obesity and largely normal cardiometabolic profile) and metabolically healthy normal-weight individuals. Second, the investigators seek to understand how a prebiotic fiber (inulin) impacts gut, immune, and vascular outcomes in individuals with metabolically healthy obesity.
• 18-55 years old.
• BMI is 18.5-24.9 kg/m2 or \>30kg/m2 (part 1). BMI \> 30 kg/m2 (part 2)
• Not pregnant or expecting to become pregnant (females only).
• Not postmenopausal (females only).
• Have 0-1 risk factors based on blood pressure, blood sugar, triglycerides, and HDL-cholesterol (good cholesterol).
• Have not been diagnosed with an advanced cardiometabolic condition (e.g., cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes).
• Have not been diagnosed with a chronic inflammatory or gastrointestinal condition (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease).
• Do not regularly take anti-inflammatory drugs (more than 2x week) or are able to temporarily suspend use of anti-inflammatory drugs three days prior to the study visit.
• Have not taken antibiotics or probiotics in the last month.
• Do not use lipid-lowering drugs (e.g., statins), glucose-lowering drugs (e.g., metformin), or anti-hypertensive drugs.
• Do not use weight-loss drugs (e.g., Ozempic, Wegovy).
• Have not had any surgery that alters the stomach/gastrointestinal tract (e.g., gastric sleeve, gastric bypass).
• Do not use tobacco products or any illicit drugs.
• Do not have a pacemaker.
• Do not have dietary restrictions prohibiting consumption of the provided meal (e.g., vegan/vegetarian diets, gluten-free diet, relevant food allergies).
• Able to stay in the supine position in the dark for at least 10 minutes (related to vascular measurements)