Effects of Caloric Restriction on Delaying the Aging Process

Abstract

The molecular mechanisms of aging are the subject of extensive research and have facilitated potential interventions to delay aging and age-related degenerative diseases in humans. The aging process is frequently affected by environmental factors. Caloric restriction is by far the most effective and established environmental manipulation for extending lifespan in various animal models. However, the precise mechanisms by which caloric restriction affects lifespan are still not clear. Epigenetic and molecular mechanisms have recently been recognized as major contributors to nutrition-related longevity and aging control. The underlying molecular mechanisms for this effect include a lower rate of accrual of tissue oxidative damage that is associated with a significantly lower rate of mitochondrial free radical generation. Two primary epigenetic codes, DNA methylation and histone modification, are believed to dynamically influence chromatin structure and hence modify the expression of relevant genes. In this review, we assessed current advances in epigenetic regulation in response to caloric restriction and how this affects cellular senescence, aging, and potential extension of a healthy lifespan in humans. Enhanced understanding of the important role of epigenetic in the control of the aging process through caloric restriction may lead to clinical advances in the prevention and therapy of human aging-associated diseases. Keywords: Caloric restriction, Epigenetic, Aging