Metabolic and Immune System Responses to a Mixed Meal

Overweight and obesity are major problems and their complications such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus pose great burdens on healthcare systems. There is accumulating evidence to support obesity being a chronic inflammatory disorder mediated in part by the expansion of adipose (fat) tissue. Knowledge of the role of adipose tissue itself has changed dramatically and it has emerged that in addition to storing energy as fats; adipose tissue secretes and responds to various chemical messengers in the body that are related to metabolism and inflammation. After a meal has been consumed, changes in metabolic (and some inflammatory) markers are seen in the blood, which may be influenced by metabolic and inflammatory changes occuring in the adipose tissue itself. The investigators therefore plan to investigate these changes in adipose tissue before and after a meal and compare them to changes occurring in the blood. They also plan to investigate whether these responses are different in people who are overweight compared to 'normal' weight. Participants will include males aged between 35-55 years who fit the criteria for inclusion. After taking some preliminary measurements and monitoring of normal daily activities, participants will attend one day of Laboratory testing in the Physiology Laboratories at the University of Bath. By investigating differences in metabolism and inflammation in adipose tissue and the circulation it is hoped that more will be learnt about the development of diseases associated with being overweight and ultimately help to develop more effective methods for prevention and treatment.