Data from: Characterization of gut microbiota composition in hemodialysis patients with normal weight obesity

Background: Normal weight obesity (NWO), defined by a normal body mass
index (BMI) but increased body fat percentage (BF%), is associated with an
increased risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. NWO is
characterized by inflammation and muscle wasting in chronic kidney disease
(CKD), but the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Gut
microbiota has been implicated in the regulation of host metabolism and
may play important roles in the development of NWO in CKD. Methods: In
this case-control study, we examined the gut microbial diversity and
taxonomy in 96 hemodialysis patients with normal weight (BMI <25
kg/m2 and BF% ≤25% for men or ≤35% for women, n = 32), NWO (BMI <25
kg/m2 and BF% >25% for men or >35% for women, n = 32), and
overweight/obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m2, n = 32), matched for age, gender, and
diabetes. BF% was measured using bioimpedance spectroscopy device. Gut
microbiota was determined by 16S rRNA sequencing. Results: We found that
α-diversity was significantly different among the 3 adiposity phenotypes,
with NWO being the least diverse. α-diversity was positively correlated
with BMI, subjective global assessment score, and physical activity, but
negatively correlated with interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α.
Patients with or without NWO were distinguished with respect to principal
coordinate analysis of β-diversity. Notably, the relative abundance of
butyrate-producing bacteria, such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and
Coprococcus, was markedly reduced in patients with NWO. Conclusion: Our
findings support associations between gut dysbiosis and a proinflammatory
and catabolic state in hemodialysis patients with NWO.