Effect of calorie restriction and refeeding on skin wound healing in the rat.

Calorie restriction (CR) is a reliable anti-aging intervention that attenuates the onset of a number of age-related diseases, reduces oxidative damage, and maintains function during aging. In the current study, we assessed the effects of CR and other feeding regimens on wound healing in 7-month-old Fischer-344 rats from a larger cohort of rats that had been fed either ad libitum (AL) or 40% calorie restricted based on AL consumption. Rats were assigned to one of three diet groups that received three skin punch wounds along the dorsal interscapular region (12-mm diameter near the front limbs) of the back as follows: (1) CR (n = 8) were wounded and maintained on CR until they healed, (2) AL (n = 5) were wounded and maintained on AL until wound closure was completed, and (3) CR rats were refed (RF, n = 9) AL for 48 h prior to wounding and maintained on AL until they healed.

The plasma membrane redox system is impaired by amyloid β-peptide and in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of 3xTgAD mice.

Membrane-associated oxidative stress has been implicated in the synaptic dysfunction and neuronal degeneration that occurs in Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Enzymes of the plasma membrane redox system (PMRS) provide electrons for energy metabolism and recycling of antioxidants. Here, we show that activities of several PMRS enzymes are selectively decreased in plasma membranes from the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of 3xTgAD mice, an animal model of AD.

In vitro cellular adaptations of indicators of longevity in response to treatment with serum collected from humans on calorie restricted diets.

Calorie restriction (CR) produces several health benefits and increases lifespan in many species. Studies suggest that alternate-day fasting (ADF) and exercise can also provide these benefits. Whether CR results in lifespan extension in humans is not known and a direct investigation is not feasible.

Up-regulation of plasma membrane-associated redox activities in neuronal cells lacking functional mitochondria.

Mitochondria-deficient cells (rho(o) cells) survive through enhanced glycolytic metabolism in the presence of pyruvate and uridine. The plasma membrane redox system (PMRS) contains several NAD(P)H-related enzymes and plays a key role in maintaining the levels of NAD(+)/NADH and reduced coenzyme Q. In this study, rho(o) cells were used to investigate how the PMRS is regulated under conditions of mitochondrial dysfunction.

Bioenergetics of aging and calorie restriction.

Aging is a physiological process that involves a multi-factorial set of deleterious changes. These alterations are caused by an exponential increase in damage to macromolecules. This process is likely due to the cumulative effects of oxidative stress over time.

Calcium-dependent regulation of cholinergic cell phenotype in the hypothalamus in vitro.

Glutamate is a major fast excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS including the hypothalamus. Our previous experiments in hypothalamic neuronal cultures showed that a long-term decrease in glutamate excitation upregulates ACh excitatory transmission. Data suggested that in the absence of glutamate activity in the hypothalamus in vitro, ACh becomes the major excitatory neurotransmitter and supports the excitation/inhibition balance.