Development of calorie restriction mimetics
as a prolongevity strategy
by
Ingram DK, Anson RM, de Cabo R, Mamczarz J,
Zhu M, Mattison J, Lane MA, Roth GS.
Laboratory of Experimental Gerontology,
Gerontology Research Center,
National Institute on Aging,
National Institutes of Health,
5600 Nathan Shock Drive,
Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
ingramd@grc.nia.nih.gov
Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2004 Jun;1019:412-23

ABSTRACT

By applying calorie restriction (CR) at 30-50% below ad libitum levels, studies in numerous species have reported increased life span, reduced incidence and delayed onset of age-related diseases, improved stress resistance, and decelerated functional decline. Whether this nutritional intervention is relevant to human aging remains to be determined; however, evidence emerging from CR studies in nonhuman primates suggests that response to CR in primates parallels that observed in rodents. To evaluate CR effects in humans, clinical trials have been initiated. Even if evidence could substantiate CR as an effective antiaging strategy for humans, application of this intervention would be problematic due to the degree and length of restriction required. To meet this challenge for potential application of CR, new research to create "caloric restriction mimetics" has emerged. This strategy focuses on identifying compounds that mimic CR effects by targeting metabolic and stress response pathways affected by CR, but without actually restricting caloric intake. Microarray studies show that gene expression profiles of key enzymes in glucose (energy) handling pathways are modified by CR. Drugs that inhibit glycolysis (2-deoxyglucose) or enhance insulin action (metformin) are being assessed as CR mimetics. Promising results have emerged from initial studies regarding physiological responses indicative of CR (reduced body temperature and plasma insulin) as well as protection against neurotoxicity, enhanced dopamine action, and upregulated brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Further life span analyses in addition to expanded toxicity studies must be completed to assess the potential of any CR mimetic, but this strategy now appears to offer a very promising and expanding research field.

Carnitine
Melatonin
Telomerase
Resveratrol
Gut flora/CR
Longevitarians
Caloric restriction
Intermittent fasting
Antiaging medicine?
Antiaging treatments
Mitochondrial enzymes
Antagonistic pleiotropy
Semi-supercentenarians
Cryonics/negligible senescence
CR/age-related oxidative damage
Caloric Restriction: humans vs nonhumans
Caloric restriction does not extend the lives of lean mice


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