Influence of caloric restriction on aging immune system.
Nutrition has been shown to have a significant impact on aging. Caloric Restriction (CR), i.e., undernutrition not malnutrition, significantly increases the survival of laboratory animals by retarding/delaying the aging process. CR has beneficial effects on various physiological systems, including the immune system. Overall, the immunological status of rodents fed a restricted diet is superior to the immunological status of the non-restricted animals. It is believed that CR might retard aging and immunosenescence through a mechanism involving changes in signal transduction and gene expression. Recent studies from our laboratory support the view that the mechanism of CR involves changes in the activation of the upstream signaling molecules and cytokine gene expression that are altered with age.
Pahlavani
M A
MA
Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center (GRECC - 182) Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital, 7400 Merton Minter Boulevard, San Antonio, TX 78284, USA. Pahlavani@uthscsa.edu
D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D031204:Caloric Restriction; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D051379:Mice
D016207:Cytokines