Selective alteration of DNA fragmentation and caspase activity in the spinal cord of aged rats and effect of dietary restriction.
Age-related alterations in CNS may preferentially affect spinal cord. We report here that in spinal cord of aged (30-month-old) rats, a significant increase of DNA fragmentation accompanied by an increased activity of caspase-1, but not of caspase-3, can be measured. The increase in caspase-1 activation, but not the increased level of DNA fragmentation, was substantially reverted by long-lasting dietary restriction.
Monti
Barbara
B
Department of Biology, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 3, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
Contestabile
Antonio
A
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D031204:Caloric Restriction; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism*; D053938:DNA Fragmentation / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D020169:Caspases