Phase angle and impedance ratio as meta-inflammation biomarkers after a colon cleansing protocol in a group of overweight young women

Abstract

Abstract Objective. Blood C-reactive protein (CRP) and the electrical bioimpedance spectroscopy (EBIS) variables phase angle (PhA) and impedance ratio (IR) have been proposed as biomarkers of metainflammation in overweight/obesity. CRP involves taking blood samples, while PhA and IR imply a less-than-2-minute-non-invasive procedure. In this study, values for these variables and percent body fat mass (PBFM) were obtained and compared before and immediately after a colon cleansing protocol (CCP), aimed at modulating intestinal microbiota and reducing metainflammation, as dysbiosis and the latter are intrinsically related, as well as along a period of 8 weeks after it. Approach. 20 female volunteers (20.9–24.9 years old) participated: 12 in an overweight group (OG), and 8 in a lean group (LG). The OG was divided in two subgroups (n= 6, each): control (CSG) and experimental (ESG). The ESG underwent a 6-day CCP at week 2, while 5 volunteers in the CSG underwent it at week 9. Main results. Pre/post-CCP mean values for the variables in the OG were: PBFM (34.3/31.3%), CRP (3.7/0.6 mg dl−1), PhA (6.9/7.5°) and IR*10 (0.78/0.77). Calculated R 2 correlation factors among these variables are all above 0.89. The favourable changes first seen in the ESG were still present 8 weeks after the CCP. Significance. (a) the CCP drastically lowers meta-inflammation, (b) EBIS can be used to measure metainflammation, before and after treatment, (c) for microbiota modulation, CCP could be a good alternative to more drastic procedures like faecal microbiota transplantation; (d) reestablishing eubiosis by CCP could be an effective coadjutant in the treatment of overweight young adult women.