CR reprograms acetyl-CoA metabolism and induces long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase and CrAT expression

Calorie restriction (CR), an age delaying diet, increases fat oxidation through poorly understood mechanisms. We found that CR changed liver acylcarnitine profile: acetylcarnitine, short-chain acylcarnitines and long-chain 3-hydroxyacylcarnitines increased, and several long-chain acylcarnitines decreased. Very long-chain and long-chain Acyl-CoA dehydrogenases (LCAD and VLCAD) were induced on protein and mRNA levels, while medium and short-chain dehydrogenases and peroxisomal beta-oxidation enzymes were not affected. Together, these data support a preferential increase in long-chain fatty acid oxidation by CR.