Results of a new study have shown that putting elderly mice on low-calorie diets for just four-weeks can reverse changes in the activity of many genes that are associated with aging. Using state-of-the-art microarray technology, researchers analyzed genes to monitor how their expression changed as mice aged. Results showed that the expression of 20-genes increased with age, while expression of another 26 decreased as the animals got older. However, when the mice were placed on long-term calorie-restricted diets, the scientists found that they could completely or partially prevent the majority of these age-related changes. Further studies revealed that if the animals were not placed upon low-calorie diets until they were 24-weeks old, they could reproduce roughly 70% of the effects of lifelong calorie restriction. Study author Stephen R. Spindler, said: “My work shows that calorie restriction not only prevents [age-related] changes” in gene activity, “but very quickly reverses the majority of the changes that take place with age.” The findings could help to further scientists understanding of how calorie restriction helps to extend the lifespan of an animal, and may eventually lead to the development of so-called longevity therapies.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.washingtonpost.com on the 4th September 2001
