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Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Normothermic Ex Situ Heart Perfusion in Working Mode: Assessment of Cardiac Function and Metabolism
Published on: January 12, 2019
Caloric restriction and heart function: is there a sensible link?
1Department of Physiology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
Insights
Calorie restriction (CR) may slow aging and prevent cardiovascular disease by triggering beneficial cellular adaptations. However, practical challenges and health concerns limit its widespread clinical use for heart health.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Gerontology
- Metabolic research
Background:
- Calorie restriction (CR) involves reducing calorie intake without malnutrition.
- CR demonstrates potential in retarding aging and cardiovascular disease.
- Mechanisms include reduced reactive oxygen species and inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the cardiac consequences of CR.
- To discuss CR's safety and efficacy in cardiovascular health management.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing clinical and experimental evidence.
- Discussion of biochemical and cellular adaptations.
Main Results:
- CR shows favorable cardiovascular effects, potentially mediated by redox homeostasis, mitochondrial function, inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy.
- CR may retard aging and cardiovascular disease progression.
Conclusions:
- CR presents potential benefits for cardiovascular health.
- Applicability issues and health concerns currently hinder CR implementation in healthcare.
Abstract:
Calorie restriction (CR) is defined as a reduction in calorie intake below the usual ad libitum intake without malnutrition. Ample of clinical and experimental evidence has demonstrated that CR is capable of retarding aging process and development of cardiovascular disease. Although suppression of reactive oxygen species production and inflammation plays a central role in the favorable cardiovascular effects of CR, the health benefit of CR is believed to be ultimately mediated through a cadre of biochemical and cellular adaptations including redox homeostasis, mitochondrial function, inflammation, apoptosis and autophagy. Despite the apparent beneficial cardiovascular effects of CR, implementation of CR in the health care management is still hampered by apparent applicability issues and health concerns. Here we briefly review the cardiac consequence of CR and discuss whether CR may represent a safe and effective strategy in the management of cardiovascular health.
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