BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF CALORIC RESTRICTION MIMETIC DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS: A CELL STRESS-BASED MECHANISM.
Mark P. Mattson
Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD 21224.
Our recent studies have demonstrated that dietary restriction can increase resistance of neurons in the brain to injury in rodent models of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, and stroke [Ann. Neurol. 45, 8-15.(1999); Brain Res. 842, 224-229; (1999); J. Neurosci. Res. 57, 195-206 (1999); J. Neurosci. Res. 57, 830-839 (1999)]. The mechanism underlying the beneficial effect of dietary restriction may involve a cellular stress response in which neurons increase their production of neuroprotective neurotrophic factors and stress proteins. The beneficial effects of dietary restriction can be mimicked by supplementing the diets of rats and mice with 2-deoxy-D-glucose, a nonmetabolizable glucose analog that restricts energy availability at the cellular level. Additional calorie restriction mimetic dietary supplements are being evaluated in the different animal models of neurodegenerative disorders. The implications of these findings for preventing and treating neurodegenerative disorders will be discussed.
Problems or questions regarding this site should be directed to
webmaster@americanaging.org