{
  "abstract": "Caloric restriction (CR) protects against cardiac ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, but the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Since mitochondrial Ca2+ overload and redox imbalance is a major driver of cardiac damage during reperfusion, we investigated if enhanced mitochondrial Ca2+ efflux contributes toward CR-induced cardioprotection. Rats were subjected to 16 weeks of ad libitum (AL) feeding or 40% caloric restriction. CR significantly increased mitochondrial Ca2+ retention capacity when Na+ ions were present, reduced H2O2 release, and increased the expression of proteins related to mitochondrial Ca2+ extrusion. In cardiomyocytes exposed to serum from CR rats, Ca2+ retention capacity also markedly increased, as well as Ca2+ efflux and the expression of extrusion proteins NCLX and TMEM65. Following I/R, CR hearts exhibited improved functional recovery accompanied by enhanced retention and increased mitochondrial Ca2+ efflux activity, as well as reduced H2O2 release compared to AL controls. Inhibition of mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchange abolished the mitochondrial adaptive effects of CR, eliminating its protection against damage in cardiomyocytes and perfused hearts. These findings demonstrate that CR protects the heart from I/R injury by enhancing CGP-sensitive Na+-dependent mitochondrial Ca2+ efflux, preserving mitochondrial function, limiting redox imbalance, and improving post-ischemic cardiac recovery.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Universidade de Sao Paulo"
  ],
  "article_type": "New results",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 8,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "M. I. Queiroz"
    },
    {
      "name": "C. C. Caldeira da Silva"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. A. Cruz"
    },
    {
      "name": "J. D. Serna"
    },
    {
      "name": "L. R. Bechara"
    },
    {
      "name": "J. C. Ferreira"
    },
    {
      "name": "H. T. Facundo"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "A. J. Kowaltowski"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3vg5rchx7ev8e.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.07.20.739602",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.07.20.739602v2.full",
  "id": "3vg5rchx7ev8e",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.07.20.739602v2",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "biorxiv",
      "biochemistry"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2734|Cardiac Ischemia and Reperfusion"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7169885245",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.07.20.739602v2.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-07-20",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3vg5rchx7ev8e.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:24:30Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.07.20.739602",
      "source": "biorxiv",
      "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.07.20.739602v2"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biochemistry",
      "origin": "biorxiv:biochemistry",
      "subfield": "general"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Caloric Restriction Promotes Ischemia/Reperfusion Cardioprotection Through Increased Mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ Exchange",
  "title_text": "Caloric Restriction Promotes Ischemia/Reperfusion Cardioprotection Through Increased Mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ Exchange",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:24:30Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3vg5rchx7ev8e",
  "venue": "bioRxiv",
  "versions": []
}