Project description:Calorie restriction is a major intervention consistently demonstrated to retard aging and delay age-associated diseases. A novel micronutrient blend, a putative calorie restriction mimetic, was developed based on a screening tool we previously described. Whole transcriptomic analysis was examined in brain cortex, skeletal muscle and heart in three groups of mice: old controls (30 months), old + calorie restriction and old + novel micronutrient blend. The micronutrient blend elicited transcriptomic changes in a manner similar to those in the calorie-restricted group and unique from those in the control group. Subgroup analysis revealed that nuclear hormone receptor, proteasome complex and angiotensinogen genes, all of which are known to be directly related to the aging process, were the most affected by the micronutrient blend and by calorie restriction. Thus, these three genes may be considered master regulators of the favorable effects of calorie restriction and of the micronutrient blend. Based on the calorie restriction mimetic effects on transcriptomics, it was hypothesized that the micronutrient blend would promotes longevity and vitality. To test this hypothesis, a functional analysis in C. Elegans was used to examine the effects of the micronutrient blend on longevity and biomarkers of vitality. Results indicate that feeding C. Elegans the micronutrient blend increased longevity as well as vitality. Further studies are required to confirm that the calorie restriction mimicking benefits described here are elicited by the micronutrient blend in humans.
Project description:Analysis of treatment at gene expression level in aged mice. Results provide important information of the response of drug modifying NAD metabolism which has been implicated in anti-aging effect of calorie restriction in aging process. Total RNA obtained from skeletal muscles and brain (cortex) subjected to calorie restriction or β-lapachone treatment compared to untreated control.
Project description:Obesity, a major risk factor for chronic diseases, is related to dsyfunctional adipose tissue signaling. First human trials suggest benefits of intermittent calorie restriction diet (ICR) in chronic disease prevention that may exceed those of continuous calorie restriction diet (CCR), even at equal net calorie intake. The effect of intermittent calorie restriction on adipose tissue signaling has not been investigated to date. Thus we initiated a randomized controlled trial to analyze the effect of ICR (eu-caloric diet on five days and two days per week with energy restriction of 75%), CCR (daily energy restriction of 20%) and a control group on subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) gene expression. 150 overweight or obese non-smoking adults (50 per group, 50% women) were randomly asiged to one of the study arms. SAT biopsies were taken before and after the 12 week intervention phase.
Project description:A preoperative short-term diet combining calorie and protein restriction diet given during five days before kidney donation and transplantation improves kidney outcome in live kidney donors and kidney transplant recipients, which shows that the benefits of dietary restriction on stress resistance can be induced rapidly in humans, and may be used for clinically relevant endpoints.
Project description:Astrocytes are key cells in brain aging, helping neurons to undertake healthy aging or otherwise letting them enter into a spiral of neurodegeneration. We aimed to characterize astrocytes cultured from senescence-accelerated prone 8 (SAMP8) mice, a mouse model of brain pathological aging, along with the effects of caloric restriction, the most effective rejuvenating treatment known so far. Analysis of the transcriptomic profiles of SAMP8 astrocytes cultured in control conditions and treated with caloric restriction serum was performed using mRNA microarrays. A decrease in mitochondrial and ribosome mRNA, which was restored by caloric restriction, confirmed the age-related profile of SAMP8 astrocytes and the benefits of caloric restriction. An amelioration of antioxidant and neurodegeneration-related path- ways confirmed the brain benefits of caloric restriction. Studies of oxidative stress and mitochondrial function demonstrated a reduction of oxidative damage and partial improvement of mito- chondria after caloric restriction. In summary, caloric restriction showed a significant tendency to normalize pathologically aged astrocytes through the activation of pathways that are protective against the age-related deterioration of brain physiology. Key words: astrocytes; caloric restriction; mitochondria; oxidative stress; RNA microarrays; SAMP8.
Project description:As global life expectancy continues to climb, maintaining skeletal muscle function is increasingly essential to ensure a good life quality for aging populations. Calorie restriction (CR) is the most potent and reproducible intervention to extend health and lifespan, but is largely unachievable in humans. Therefore, identification of “CR mimetics” has received much attention. Since CR targets nutrient-sensing pathways centering on mTORC1, rapamycin, the allosteric inhibitor of mTORC1, has been proposed as a potential CR mimetic and counteracts age-related muscle loss. Therefore, we tested whether rapamycin acts via similar mechanisms as CR to slow muscle aging. Contrary to our prediction, long-term CR and rapamycin-treated geriatric mice display distinct skeletal muscle gene expression profiles despite both conferring benefits to aging skeletal muscle. Furthermore, CR improved muscle integrity in a mouse with nutrient-insensitive sustained muscle mTORC1 activity and rapamycin provided additive benefits to CR in aging mouse muscles. Therefore, RM and CR exert distinct, compounding effects in aging skeletal muscle, opening the possibility of parallel interventions to counteract muscle aging.
Project description:Analysis of treatment at gene expression level in aged mice. Results provide important information of the response of drug modifying NAD metabolism which has been implicated in anti-aging effect of calorie restriction in aging process.