Project description:Astrocytes are key cells in brain aging, helping neurons to undertake healthy aging or otherwise letting them enter into a spiral of neurodegeneration. We aimed to characterize astrocytes cultured from senescence-accelerated prone 8 (SAMP8) mice, a mouse model of brain pathological aging, along with the effects of caloric restriction, the most effective rejuvenating treatment known so far. Analysis of the transcriptomic profiles of SAMP8 astrocytes cultured in control conditions and treated with caloric restriction serum was performed using mRNA microarrays. A decrease in mitochondrial and ribosome mRNA, which was restored by caloric restriction, confirmed the age-related profile of SAMP8 astrocytes and the benefits of caloric restriction. An amelioration of antioxidant and neurodegeneration-related path- ways confirmed the brain benefits of caloric restriction. Studies of oxidative stress and mitochondrial function demonstrated a reduction of oxidative damage and partial improvement of mito- chondria after caloric restriction. In summary, caloric restriction showed a significant tendency to normalize pathologically aged astrocytes through the activation of pathways that are protective against the age-related deterioration of brain physiology. Key words: astrocytes; caloric restriction; mitochondria; oxidative stress; RNA microarrays; SAMP8.
Project description:As microarray based gene expression profiling is well suited to study the complex diseases such as obesity, we revealed gene expression changes of fat tissues on obesity model zebrafish to elcidate the pathophysiological function of each fat tissue in metabolic syndrome. Zebrafish in over-feeding group were fed three times per day with Artemia (60 mg cysts/fish/day) through 8weeks. 1week over-feeding group were fed three times per day with Artemia (60 mg cysts/fish/day) through 1week. For caloric restriction, zebrafish were fed with Artemia (2.5 mg cysts/fish/day) for 2 weeks after over-fed with Artemia for 8 weeks.
Project description:To further analyze the effect of aging and caloric restriction in the microRNA expression, we have employed microarray expression profiling as a discovery platform to identify differentially expressed microRNAs in middle-aged animals and the impact of caloric restriction in the microRNA expression profile. Subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue were extracted from 3 groups of mice: 3 month-old, 12 month-old fed ad libitum and 12 month-old fed with a caloric restricted diet. Comparisons between young and middle-aged animals in subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue, and between the 12 month old ad libitum and 12 month old caloric restricted diet in both adipose depots were made.
Project description:Transcriptome analysis using the liver from young versus old mice, fed either normally or under caloric restriction reveals reorganization of distinct circadian signatures related to metabolic aging and nutrient-dependent counterbalance of aging by caloric restriction
Project description:Caloric restriction increases life-span of a number of organisms. The relationship between the increase in life-span and the extent of caloric restriction, however, varies among species. The underlying mechanisms are yet unknown, but appear to be related to changes in metabolism. In order to investigate the metabolic response of caloric restriction of rats, here is presented the first nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy-based study of how blood metabolite profiles are influenced by graded levels of caloric restriction. The study involved three groups of obese rats exposed to 0, 20, and 40% caloric restriction for five days. Blood serum from each individual was analyzed by 1H NMR and the resulting spectra were subjected to multivariate analysis by unsupervised principal component analysis and supervised orthogonal-partial least square discriminant analysis. The analyzes revealed that a response to caloric restriction was present at 20% caloric restriction. The metabolites that distinguished the profiles at 20% restriction deviated from those at 40% restriction. The changes induced by caloric restriction were most clearly observed as an increased level of 3-hydroxybutyrate, and decreased levels of lipids and pyruvate. The metabolic responses of rats exposed to caloric restriction are in good agreement with a switch in metabolism from anabolic pathways towards fatty acid catabolism and gluconeogenesis, which is consistent with previous observations for mice.
Project description:Comparison of transcriptional profiling in murine hearts obtained from the control mice fed ad libitium (AL) and treated with caloric restriction (CR). Comparison of transcriptional profiling in murine hearts obtained from cardiomyocye-specific Sirt1 knockout mice fed ad libitium and treated with caloric restriction.
Project description:Caloric restriction extends lifespan, an effect once thought to involve attenuation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by aerobic metabolism. However, recent evidence suggests that caloric restriction may in fact raise ROS levels, which in turn provides protection from acute doses of oxidant through a process called adaptation. To shed light on the molecular mechanisms of adaptation, we designed a series of genome-wide deletion fitness screens to identify genes involved in adaptation to hydrogen peroxide.