title: A study of caloric restriction and cardiovascular aging in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis): a potential model for aging research.
abstract: Caloric restriction has been demonstrated to retard aging processes and extend maximal life span in rodents, and is currently being evaluated in several nonhuman primate trials. We initiated a study in 32 adult cynomolgus monkeys to evaluate the effect of caloric restriction on parameters contributing to atherosclerosis extent. Following pretrial determinations, at which time a baseline measure of ad libitum (ad lib) dietary intake was assessed, animals were randomized to an ad lib fed group (control) or a caloric restriction group (30% reduction from baseline intake). The animals are being evaluated for glycated proteins, insulin, glucose, insulin sensitivity measures, and specific measures of body fat composition by CT scans (e.g., intra-abdominal fat) over specified intervals. The results from the first year of observation demonstrate a significant diet effect on body weight, and specifically intra-abdominal fat. Further, insulin sensitivity has been significantly increased after 1 year of caloric restriction compared to the ad lib fed group. These studies indicate that caloric restriction has a marked effect on a pathologic fat depot, and this change is associated significantly with an improvement in peripheral tissue insulin sensitivity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest University, USA.
authors.forename: W T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Cefalu
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: Z Q
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Bell-Farrow
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Haskell
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bechtold
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Morgan
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001823:Body Composition; D001835:Body Weight; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D002149:Energy Intake; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids