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Intense Caloric Restriction from Birth Protects the Heart Against Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury and Reduces Reactive
Vinícius Lopes Cantuária1,2, Cíntia Maria Rodrigues3, Isabella Rocha Dias3
1Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina 39100-000, MG, Brazil.
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
|February 26, 2025
Summary
Intense caloric restriction (ICR) protects the heart in estrogen-deficient rats by improving cardiac function and reducing risk factors. This dietary intervention enhances antioxidant defenses and preserves mitochondrial integrity, offering cardiovascular benefits.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Metabolic Health
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Menopause-induced estrogen deficiency is linked to increased cardiovascular risk.
- Estrogen deficiency impairs cardiac function and exacerbates metabolic dysfunction.
- Estrogen deficiency leads to detrimental changes in cardiac structure and oxidative stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cardioprotective effects of intense caloric restriction (ICR) in an ovariectomized rat model.
- To determine if ICR can mitigate cardiovascular dysfunction in the absence of estrogens.
- To explore the mechanisms underlying ICR's protective effects on the heart.
Main Methods:
- Ovariectomized rats were subjected to intense caloric restriction (ICR) from birth.
- Cardiac function was assessed under basal and post-ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) conditions.
- Cardiometabolic risk factors, mitochondrial integrity, and oxidative stress markers were evaluated.
Main Results:
- ICR significantly improved basal and post-ischemic cardiac function, enhancing contractility and relaxation.
- Restricted animals showed superior functional recovery after I/R injury compared to controls.
- ICR reduced blood pressure, heart rate, adiposity, and improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity.
- ICR preserved mitochondrial integrity by reducing damaged mitochondria and lowering reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.
Conclusions:
- Intense caloric restriction (ICR) confers significant cardioprotection in an estrogen-deficient state.
- ICR mitigates cardiovascular dysfunction by reducing cardiometabolic risk factors and oxidative stress.
- Enhanced antioxidant defenses and mitochondrial protection are key mechanisms underlying ICR's benefits.
