Recent findings suggest an association between obesity, loss of gut barrier
function and changes in microbiota profiles. Our primary objective was to
examine the effect of caloric restriction and subsequent weight reduction on
gut permeability in obese women. The impact on inflammatory markers and fecal
microbiota was also investigated. The 4-week very-low calorie diet (VLCD, 800
kcal/day) induced a mean weight loss of 6.9 ± 1.9 kg accompanied by a
reduction in HOMA-IR (Homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance),
fasting plasma glucose and insulin, plasma leptin, and leptin gene expression
in subcutaneous adipose tissue. Plasma high-molecular weight adiponectin (HMW
adiponectin) was significantly increased after VLCD. Plasma levels of high-
sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein
(LBP) were significantly decreased after 28 days of VLCD. Using three
different methods, gut paracellular permeability was decreased after VLCD.
These changes in clinical parameters were not associated with major consistent
changes in dominant bacterial communities in feces. In summary, a 4-week
caloric restriction resulted in significant weight loss, improved gut barrier
integrity and reduced systemic inflammation in obese women