High-Fat Meal–Induced Changes in Markers of Inflammation and Angiogenesis in Healthy Adults Who Differ by Age and Physical Activity Level

BACKGROUND: Inflammation and angiogenesis are key facets of cardiovascular disease pathophysiology. Age and physical activity level can influence fasting systemic inflammation, but the impact of these factors on postprandial inflammation is unknown. In addition, markers of angiogenesis have never been tested in the context of a single high-fat meal (HFM). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an HFM on markers of inflammation and angiogenesis in individuals of different ages and physical activity levels. METHODS: Twenty-two healthy adults—8 younger active (YA) adults (4 men, 4 women; mean ± SD age: 25 ± 5 y), 8 older active (OA) adults (4 men, 4 women; 67 ± 5 y), and 6 older inactive (OI) adults (3 men, 3 women; 68 ± 7 y)—consumed an HFM [63% fat (39% saturated fat, 14% monounsaturated fat, 10% polyunsaturated fat), 34% carbohydrate; 12 kcal/kg body mass; 927 ± 154 kcal]. Fourteen inflammatory and 9 angiogenic markers were measured at baseline and 3 and 6 h postmeal. RESULTS: Significant group effects were observed in interleukin (IL)-10 (YA > OA; P = 0.02), IL-23 (YA > OA; P = 0.02), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (OA < OI; P = 0.04), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C (YA < OA; P = 0.001). IL-8, VEGF-A, VEGF-C, and heparin-binding epidermal growth factor–like growth factor significantly increased, whereas granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interferon-γ, IL-1β, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17A, IL-23, TNF-α, leptin, angiopoietin-2, and follistatin significantly decreased after HFM consumption (P’s < 0.05). Notably, VEGF-A and VEGF-C were significantly higher at 3 h [mean difference: 22.5 pg/mL (VEGF-A); 73.5 pg/mL (VEGF-C)] and 6 h postmeal [mean difference: 26.9 pg/mL (VEGF-A); 81.2 pg/mL (VEGF-C)]. CONCLUSIONS: A novel finding of this study was the robust increase in VEGF after an HFM. There were also group differences in several inflammatory markers (IL-10 and IL-23 greater in YA than OA, and TNF-α lower in OA than OI) that suggest a potential influence of age and physical activity level.