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


Blood C-reactive protein (CRP) and the electrical bioimpedance (EBI) 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 immediately before and immediately after a colon cleansing protocol (CCP), aimed at modulating intestinal microbiota, as well as along a period of 8 weeks after it.
Methods:
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 (SCG) and experimental (SEG). The ESG underwent a 6-day colon cleansing protocol (CCP) at week 2, while 5 volunteers in the CSG underwent it at week 9.
Results:
Pre/post-CCP mean values for the variables in the OG were: PBF (34.3/31.3%), CRP (3.7/0.6 mg/dL), PhA (6.9/7.5°) and IR*10 (0.78/0.77). Calculated R2 correlation factors among these variables are all above 0.89). The favorable changes first seen in the SEG were still present 8 weeks after the CCP.
Conclusion:
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 fecal microbiota transplantation; d) reestablishing eubiosis by CCP could be an effective coadjutant in the treatment of overweight young adult overweight women.&#xD.