Dietary restriction alone and in combination with oral ethoxyquin/2-mercaptoethylamine in mice
Article Abstract:
In the laboratory, dietary calorie restriction is the most effective way known to prolong the life span of mammals, and has led to an increase in both average and maximum life spans. This effect suggests that dietary calorie restriction modifies a basic aging process. (Dietary calorie restriction has not been examined in relation to the life span of humans.) Some antioxidant compounds increase average life span, but do not affect maximum life span, suggesting that their effect is different from that exerted by calorie restriction. To determine the outcome of caloric restriction and antioxidant treatment on life span, disease incidence, and other indices, mice received regular or carbohydrate-restricted diets; half of each group also received two antioxidants, ethoxyquin and 2-mercaptoethylamine. Mice on the restricted calorie diet lived significantly longer and tended to have fewer tumors, while mice in all other groups had similar survival rates. Antioxidant-treated mice weighed less than mice in the corresponding dietary group. A much higher incidence of liver cancer and liver disease was observed in mice fed a restricted diet combined with antioxidants; liver toxicity was an unexpected finding. Protective white blood cell responses in mice fed restricted diets were similar to those previously reported; antioxidant treatment had little effect. The results suggest that dietary calorie restriction may delay the onset, but not slow the rate, of physiological decline during aging. Similar studies with different animals may produce various effects. The authors do not support any anti-aging effects of antioxidants. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journals of Gerontology
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0022-1422
Year: 1990
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Concerns about rodent models for aging research
Article Abstract:
Rodents are the most useful animal models in current research in gerontology. Because any particular animal model has advantages and disadvantages however, it would be more advantageous to use a variety of animal species and even several genotypes, or genetic makeups, within a species. But with available resources as they are, mice and rats are likely to remain the most common animal models for the immediate future. In view of this, there are some factors to consider in designing these research studies. One consideration is that the diseases studied should not be present before the rodents are of advanced age. Single genotypes have been overused as well, limiting the application of the findings even to other rodents. Often the disease status of the rodents used is not adequately determined either, opening the way for confounded results. Environmental conditions are important as well, since they can influence the progression of diseases. In the absence of a greater variety of animal models for research in gerontology then, it is important to attend to the health of the animals used and the environments in which they are kept, and it is desirable to use a variety of genotypes, when possible. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journals of Gerontology
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0022-1422
Year: 1991
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Dietary restriction of adult male rhesus monkeys: design, methodology, and preliminary findings from the first year of study
Article Abstract:
Dietary restriction had been found to delay aging and had increased longetivity in animals. Thirty rhesus monkeys were used to evaluate its long term effect on primates. Fifteen were assigned as the control group with liberal access to a semi-purified diet while the other group received the same diet but were individually predetermined at 70% of their baseline intake. All monkeys were found to be healthy after a year of study, however, the experimental group did not gain weight, had less body fat and was observed to have reduced physical activity.
Publication Name: Journals of Gerontology
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0022-1422
Year: 1993
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