We have studied the effect of calcium load (1.7 to 15 mmol/l in perfusate) on isolated heart function, mitochondrial factor release (as a marker of mitochondrial permeability transition pore, MPTP), and cardiac uncoupling proteins (UCP2/3) mRNA expression in untrained and trained rats (swimming for 4 weeks). It was found that the improvement in the isolated heart function of trained rats was accompanied by an increase in the expression of UCP3, but not UCP2. A gradual increase of the calcium content in the perfusate led to an increase in contractile function, more pronounced in trained rats. However, 10 mmol/l and higher concentration of calcium led to arrhythmia and drastic decrease in contractility of isolated heart more obvious in untrained rats. Swimming course prevented the calcium-induced release of mitochondrial factor exerting a stabilizing effect on mitochondrial membranes which was, however, diminished by a nitric oxide synthesis blocker (L-NAME). We have found that UCPs genes expression is calcium-sensitive: an increase in UCP3 mRNA at 5 mmol of calcium and a sharp decrease in UCP2/3 expression at 12.5 mmol/l of calcium in perfusate in both trained and untrained rats indicating the participation of UCPs in the regulation of calcium homeostasis. Our data suggest that the calcium load may serve as a test for in situ MPTP titration. Activation of UCPs together with up-regulated nitric oxide may play a protective role against increasing extracellular calcium inhibiting MPTP formation during physical trainings.