Metabolic remodeling in the aging heart.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of aging on the profile of myocardial substrate utilization and cardiac function using a physiological profile of substrates. Hearts from 6-, 15- and 24-month male Wistar rats were perfused in the isovolumic Langendorff mode, with physiological concentrations of 13C labeled palmitate, and either 13C labeled lactate or 13C glucose. 13C-NMR glutamate isotopomer analysis was performed to determine the contribution of the different substrates to oxidative metabolism.