Exercise-Induced Gut Permeability in Normal-weight Obesity

Indicators of Gut Permeability in Normal-weight Obesity in Response to Brief, Maximal and Sustained, Submaximal Exercise

Exercise acutely increases gut permeability and inflammation, even in healthy populations. However, whether this response differs in groups at-risk for CVD that present with low-grade inflammation (e.g., normal-weight obesity) has yet to be examined. The investigators aim to measure serum indicators of gut permeability in those with normal-weight obesity pre- and post-short, intense exercise and sustained, moderate exercise

The investigator's overall goal is to examine how indicators of gut permeability change in response to exercise in individuals with normal-weight obesity (i.e., normal body mass index [BMI] and high body fat percent) relative to those with a normal BMI and low body fat percent and those with a BMI in the obesity range and high body fat percent. The investigators will examine indicators of gut permeability (specified in primary outcomes) in response to a short, intense bout of exercise (i.e., VO2 max test on a cycle ergometer) and sustained, moderate bout of exercise (i.e., 45 minutes at 65% measured VO2 max on a cycle ergometer). Additionally, the investigators will measure basic anthropometrics, blood lipids and glucose, and body composition with DXA.

Three study groups (n=10/ group): Normal weight and low body fat percent (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2, body fat percent < 25% in males or < 35% in females), Normal-weight obesity (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2, body fat percent > 25% in males or > 35% in female) Overt obesity and high body fat percent (BMI > 30 kg/m2, body fat percent > 25% in males or > 35% in females)

The low risk comparator group for this study will consist of individuals with normal BMI (18.5 - 24.9 kg/m2) and body fat percent < 25% (male) or < 35% (female).

Individuals with normal-weight obesity will be defined as having normal BMI (18.5 - 24.9 kg/m2), body fat percent > 25% (male) or > 35% (female).

Overt obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2) with high body fat percent (> 25% [male] or > 35% [female]) will be used as a high-risk comparator group.

All participants will complete two exercise sessions: VO2 max test on a cycle ergometer Moderate exercise session (45 minutes at 65% measured VO2 max)

The investigators will examine peak and absolute change in this indicator of gut permeability after the VO2 max test on a cycle ergometer.

The investigators will examine peak and absolute change in this indicator of gut permeability after the VO2 max test on a cycle ergometer.

The investigators will examine peak and absolute change in this indicator of gut permeability after the VO2 max test on a cycle ergometer.

The investigators will examine peak and absolute change in this indicator of gut permeability after 45-minutes of exercise at 65% VO2 max on a cycle ergometer.

The investigators will examine peak and absolute change in this inflammatory marker after 45-minutes of exercise at 65% VO2 max on a cycle ergometer.

The investigators will compare VO2 max after the short, intense exercise session across study groups.

The investigators will compare RER dynamics during the short, intense exercise session across study groups.

The investigators will compare workload dynamics in watts during the short, intense and moderate, sustained exercise session across study groups.

The investigators will compare heart rate dynamics during the short, intense and moderate, sustained exercise session across study groups.

The investigators will perform DXA scans on all participants to assess absolute body fat in kilograms.

The investigators will perform DXA scans on all participants to assess absolute lean mass in kilograms.

The investigators will perform DXA scans on all participants to assess absolute visceral mass in grams.

Inclusion Criteria: Control group: normal BMI, body fat percentage < 25% (male) or < 35% (female) Normal-weight obesity: normal BMI, body fat percentage > 25% (male) or > 35% (female) Overt obesity: BMI in obesity range, body fat percentage > 25% (male) or > 35% (female) Exclusion Criteria: Presence of pacemaker Pregnant Postmenopausal status History of chronically using of tobacco products, illicit drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., NSAIDs), lipid lowering drugs Recent use of antibiotics (< 6 weeks) and NSAIDs (< 3 days) Established cardiometabolic disease (e.g., cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes) diseases inflammatory in nature (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease), and/or diagnosed irritable bowel syndrome.