Caloric restriction reduces sympathetic activity similar to beta-blockers but conveys additional mitochondrio-protective effects in aged myocardium

Increased activation of sympathetic nervous system contributes to congestive heart failure (CHF) progression, and inhibition of sympathetic overactivation by beta-blockers is successful in CHF patients. Similarly, caloric restriction (CR) reduces sympathetic activity but mediates additional effects. Here, we compared the cardiac effects of CR (− 40% kcal, 3 months) with beta-blocker therapy (BB), diuretic medication (DF) or control diet in 18-months-old Wistar rats. We continuously recorded blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature and activity with telemetric devices and analysed cardiac function, activated signalling cascades and markers of apoptosis and mitochondrial biogenesis. During our study, left ventricular (LV) systolic function improved markedly (CR), mildly (BB) or even deteriorated (DF; control). Diastolic function was preserved by CR and BB but impaired by DF. CR reduced blood pressure identical to DF and BB and heart rate identical to BB. Plasma noradrenaline was decreased by CR and BB but increased by DF. Only CR reduced LV oxidative damage and apoptosis, induced AMPK and Akt phosphorylation and increased mitochondrial biogenesis. Thus, additive to the reduction of sympathetic activity, CR achieves protective effects on mitochondria and improves LV function and ROS damage in aged hearts. CR mechanisms may provide additional therapeutic targets compared to traditional CHF therapy.