Multi-study feasibility analysis on a composite biomarker of inflammatory resilience to quantify the effects of energy restriction on low-grade inflammation in overweight and obese individuals

Mark C Dessing; Tim J van den Broek; Femke P M Hoevenaars; Willem J van den Brink; Milena Rundle; Gary Frost; Lydia Afman; Suzan Wopereis

doi:10.1007/s00394-025-03627-8

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Multi-study feasibility analysis on a composite biomarker of inflammatory resilience to quantify the effects of energy restriction on low-grade inflammation in overweight and obese individuals

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Multi-study feasibility analysis on a composite biomarker of inflammatory resilience to quantify the effects of energy restriction on low-grade inflammation in overweight and obese individuals

Mark C Dessing, Tim J van den Broek, Femke P M Hoevenaars, Willem J van den Brink, Milena Rundle, Gary Frost, Lydia Afman and Suzan Wopereis

European journal of nutrition, Vol.64, 106

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-025-03627-8

PMID: 40035864

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Abstract

Adult

Biomarkers - blood

Caloric Restriction - methods

Feasibility Studies

Female

Humans

Inflammation - blood

Male

Middle Aged

Obesity - blood

Obesity - diet therapy

Overweight - blood

Overweight - diet therapy

Postprandial Period

Purpose Assessing the health impacts of nutritional interventions in metabolically compromised but otherwise healthy individuals is challenging, necessitating sensitive tools. Phenotypic flexibility offers an innovative way to measure homeostatic capacity during challenge tests. A composite biomarker of inflammatory resilience has proven useful in evaluating the health benefits of whole-grain wheat interventions in overweight and obese individuals. Expanding this method to other dietary interventions to combat low-grade inflammation is essential. Methods This study investigated the feasibility of a composite biomarker of inflammatory resilience through secondary analysis of samples from two independent energy restriction (ER) trials, Bellyfat (NCT02194504) and Nutritech (NCT01684917). In these trials, fasting and postprandial inflammation was analysed using a variety of markers. Four composite biomarker models were developed on the basis of postprandial inflammatory marker responses via the ‘health space’ model method. These models were statistically evaluated for their sensitivity in detecting the effects of 12 weeks of ER. Results The minimal composite biomarkers, consisting of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α, lacked the ability to detect postprandial intervention effects in both ER trials. However, in the Nutritech study, the extended, endothelial, and optimized composite biomarkers of inflammatory resilience displayed significant responses to the ER (all P<0.005). In the latter 3 models, a reduction in the inflammatory score was correlated with a reduction in BMI and body fat percentage. Conclusion This study underscores the feasibility of employing a composite biomarker of inflammatory resilience to evaluate ER interventions. Further validation in additional nutritional intervention studies is necessary. Once validated, this composite biomarker could offer a novel approach for assessing low-grade inflammation and phenotypic flexibility.

Details

Title: Multi-study feasibility analysis on a composite biomarker of inflammatory resilience to quantify the effects of energy restriction on low-grade inflammation in overweight and obese individuals
Authors/Creators: Mark C Dessing - Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research
Tim J van den Broek - Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research
Femke P M Hoevenaars - Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research
Willem J van den Brink - Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research
Milena Rundle - Imperial College London
Gary Frost - Imperial College London
Lydia Afman - Wageningen University & Research
Suzan Wopereis - Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research
Publication Details: European journal of nutrition, Vol.64, 106
Publisher: Springer
Grant note: TKI-AF-16035 / Top Sector Agri and Food
Identifiers: 991005884953707891
Murdoch Affiliation: Centre for Computational and Systems Medicine
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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