Effects of Caloric Restriction on Gene Expression

摘要

Caloric restriction (CR) retards the aging process in laboratory rodents as characterized by a delayed occurrence or complete prevention of a broad spectrum of age-associated pathophysiological changes and a 30-50% increase in maximum lifespan [1]. The maximum lifespan offish, rotifers, spiders and other non-mammals is also extended by CR [ i ]. An active area of research in biological gerontology concerns the mechanisms by which CR retards the aging process. There are five classes of interrelated and non-exclusive explanations for CR's mechanism: (i) decreases in oxidative stress [2]; (ii) decreases glyca-tion or glycoxidation [3]; (iii) decreases in body temperature and circulating thyroid hormone levels associated with a hypometabolic state [4], (iv) alterations in gene expression and protein degradation [ 5], and (v) neuroendocrine changes [6].We have used oligonucleotide microarrays to examine the influences of aging and CR on gene expression and herein review our studies in mice and rhesus monkeys.