Re: Re : AGING: "Researchers Find Evidence Of Aging System That May Promote Long Life"

From: Alex Future Bokov (alexboko@umich.edu)
Date: Tue Apr 10 2001 - 16:01:45 MDT


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On Mon, 9 Apr 2001, Joao Pedro de Magalhaes wrote:

> Until proven contrary, I maintain my opinion that caloric restriction or
> other manipulations of organisms' energy -- such as this research -- slow
> down aging by slowing down the rate at which the organism completes its
> genetic program. Although this might lead to extensions in human lifespan,

A genetic program for aging?

> it does not, at the moment, tell us anything about the basic mechanisms of

What is meant by basic mechanisms?

> aging. Finally, caloric restriction in animals (mice and monkeys) leads to
> diminished body functions which are undesirable for a normal human being
> (for instance, diminished physical abilities).

Yes, except mice and rats do *not* show a decreased overall metabolic
rate (per unit of body mass) under caloric restriction. Nor lessened
activity. Nor lessened intelligence. The possibility is still open
that the metabolic rate of individual organs or tissues is different
under CR, with the whole body metabolic rate not significantly
altered.

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Duffy, P. H., Feuers, R. J., Leakey, J. E. A., Hart, R. W. (1991).
Chronic caloric restriction in old female mice: Changes
in circadian rhythms of physiological and behavioral variables.
In L Fishbein (Ed.), Biological effects of dietary restriction
(pp. 245-263)

McCarter, R. J. M., Palmer, J. (1992).
Energy metabolism and aging: A lifelong study of Fischer 344 rats.
Am J Physiol 263, E448-E452

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The only function that is consistantly diminished among animals whose
lives are prolonged by caloric restriction is fertility, which is not
an unacceptable side effect for many humans.

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