Effects of Sex, Strain, and Energy Intake on Hallmarks of Aging in Mice

Cell Metab. 2016 Jun 14;23(6):1093-1112. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2016.05.027.

Abstract

Calorie restriction (CR) is the most robust non-genetic intervention to delay aging. However, there are a number of emerging experimental variables that alter CR responses. We investigated the role of sex, strain, and level of CR on health and survival in mice. CR did not always correlate with lifespan extension, although it consistently improved health across strains and sexes. Transcriptional and metabolomics changes driven by CR in liver indicated anaplerotic filling of the Krebs cycle together with fatty acid fueling of mitochondria. CR prevented age-associated decline in the liver proteostasis network while increasing mitochondrial number, preserving mitochondrial ultrastructure and function with age. Abrogation of mitochondrial function negated life-prolonging effects of CR in yeast and worms. Our data illustrate the complexity of CR in the context of aging, with a clear separation of outcomes related to health and survival, highlighting complexities of translation of CR into human interventions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging / genetics
  • Aging / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Autophagy / genetics
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Caloric Restriction
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Energy Intake* / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Homeostasis / genetics
  • Hydrogen Sulfide / metabolism
  • Islets of Langerhans / anatomy & histology
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver / ultrastructure
  • Longevity / genetics
  • Longevity / physiology
  • Male
  • Metabolome
  • Metabolomics
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Phenotype
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / metabolism
  • Sex Characteristics*
  • Ubiquitin / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Ubiquitin
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex
  • Glucose
  • Hydrogen Sulfide