Restriction of the number of calories consumed extends longevity in many organisms. In rodents, caloric restriction decreases the levels of plasma glucose and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1) and postpones or attenuates cancer, immunosenescence, and inflammation without irreversible side effects. In organisms ranging from yeast to mice, mutations in glucose or IGF-I-like signaling pathways extend life-span but also cause glycogen or fat accumulation and dwarfism. This information suggests a new category of drugs that could prevent or postpone diseases of aging with few adverse effects.
Longo VD, Finch CE.
Science 2003 Feb 28;299(5611):1342-6
Andrus Gerontology Center, Division of Biogerontology, and Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0191, USA. vlongo@usc.edu
PMID: 12610293 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]
