The purpose of this study is to determine insulin sensitivity in individuals that are lean normal glucose tolerant subjects after consumption of a normal low fat diet and after a high fat diet and to explore the effects of high fat consumption on the intestinal microbiome, and metabolic endotoxemia.( Aim 1 of the protocol, a separate record is available for Aim 2)

We will test the hypothesis that a high fat diet given to lean, normal glucose tolerant subjects will impair insulin signaling and sensitivity and modify gut microbiome composition and enhance intestinal permeability, which will increase plasma LPS concentration, induce an inflammatory response in peripheral tissues (skeletal muscle). Also we will test the hypothesis that the inflammatory response and insulin resistance caused by high fat ingestion can be ameliorated by administering

• a synbiotic (Bifidobacterium longum R0175 and oligofructose) which protects the intestinal epithelial barrier and decreases intestinal translocation of LPS; and
• sevelamer, an agent which sequesters lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the gastrointestinal tract limiting its translocation into the circulation.

All subjects are fed both a low fat diet (considered a normal diet) and high fat diet, first one and then the other in no particular sequence. After a washout period participants are fed the other type of high or low fat diet, depending on which diet they were first assigned to in order to compare the effects of the intervention on insulin sensitivity during each diet.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Both genders. All races and ethnic groups.
• Premenopausal women in the follicular phase, non-lactating, and with a negative pregnancy test. Postmenopausal women on stable dose of or not exposed to hormone replacement for ≥6 months.
• Hematocrit (HCT)≥ 34%, serum creatinine ≤ 1.4 mg/dl, and normal serum electrolytes, urinalysis, and coagulation tests. Liver function tests (LFTs) up to 2 times normal.
• Stable body weight (±2%) for ≥ 3 months
• Two or less sessions of strenuous exercise/wk for last 6 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance based on ADA criteria.
• Current treatment with drugs known to affect glucose and lipid homeostasis. If the subject has been on a stable dose for the past 3 months, the following agents will be permitted: calcium channel blockers, β-blockers, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and statins
• History of allergy to sevelamer.
• History of Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or systemic steroid use for more than a week within 3 months.
• Current treatment with anticoagulants (warfarin). Aspirin (up to 325 mg) and clopidogrel will be permitted if these can be held for seven days prior to the biopsy in accordance with the primary physician.
• Use of agents that affect gut flora (e.g. antibiotics, colestyramine, lactulose, PEG) within 3 months.
• History of heart disease (New York Heart Classification greater than grade II; more than non-specific ST-T wave changes on the ECG), peripheral vascular disease, pulmonary disease, smokers.
• Poorly controlled blood pressure (systolic BP>170, diastolic BP>95 mmHg).
• Active inflammatory, autoimmune, hepatic, gastrointestinal, malignant, and psychiatric disease.
• History of gastrointestinal surgery or gastrointestinal obstruction within two years.

Baseline participants were consented and passed screening and completed both high fat and low fat diet while randomized to one of the interventions.

Adverse Event Data was collected over the course of the study intervention period, beginning with subject's enrollment into study and ending once they completed all visits. This period takes approximately 6 months from screening to completion of all visits.

Adverse events were collected per arm of the study, for placebo, sevelamer and synbiotic, rather than by arm and low or high fat diet. Each arm reports adverse events to include the participant assignment to either low or high fat diets.

Despite continued recruitment efforts, we had difficulty with subjects fully completing the study due to dissatisfaction with the diets. Evaluable subjects completed both low and high fat diet while randomized to one of the three interventions, and only insulin sensitivity was captured for both the low fat and high fat diets due to the low completion numbers.