Progressive caloric restriction induces dose-dependent changes in myocardial triglyceride content and diastolic function in healthy men.
BACKGROUND
In animal experiments, high plasma concentrations of free fatty acids (FFAs) are associated with increased triglyceride (TG) stores in liver and heart, and impaired cardiac function. In humans caloric restriction increases plasma FFA levels.


OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to assess the effects of progressive caloric restriction on myocardial and hepatic TG content and myocardial function.


METHODS
This was a prospective intervention study.


METHODS
This study included 10 lean healthy men.


METHODS
Three-day partial (471 kcal/d) and complete starvation was performed.


METHODS
Plasma levels of FFA, myocardial and hepatic TG content, and myocardial function were calculated.


RESULTS
Plasma FFA increased from 0.6 +/- 0.4 mmol/liter to 1.2 +/- 0.4 and to 1.9 +/- 0.7 mmol/liter, after partial and complete starvation, respectively (P < 0.001). Myocardial TG content increased from 0.35 +/- 0.14% to 0.59 +/- 0.27%, and 1.26 +/- 0.49%, respectively (P < 0.01). The ratio between the early diastole and atrial contraction decreased from 2.2 +/- 0.4 to 2.1 +/- 0.4 (P = 0.7) and 1.8 +/- 0.4, respectively (P < 0.01), and diastolic early deceleration from 3.4 +/- 0.7 ml/sec(2) x 10(-3) to 2.9 +/- 0.5 and 2.8 +/- 0.9 ml/sec(2) x 10(-3), respectively (P < 0.05). Hepatic TG content decreased after partial starvation (from 2.23 +/- 2.24% to 1.43 +/- 1.33%; P < 0.05) but did not change upon complete starvation.


CONCLUSIONS
Progressive caloric restriction induces a dose-dependent increase in myocardial TG content and a dose-dependent decrease in diastolic function in lean healthy men. Hepatic TG content showed a differential response to progressive caloric restriction, indicating that redistribution of endogenous TG stores is tissue specific.
Hammer
Sebastiaan
S
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism (C4-R), Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands. S.Hammer@LUMC.nl
van der Meer
Rutger W
RW
Lamb
Hildo J
HJ
Schär
Michael
M
de Roos
Albert
A
Smit
Jan W A
JW
Romijn
Johannes A
JA
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D031204:Caloric Restriction; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013217:Starvation / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D007328:Insulin; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol