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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #201738
Title: The effect of caloric restriction and glycemic load on measures of oxidative stress and antioxidants in humans

Author
item Meydani, Mohsen
item BAND, MICHAEL - TUFTS/HNRCA
item EPSTEIN, SUSANNA - TUFTS/HNRCA
item DAS, SAI KRUPA - TUFTS/HNRCA
item Roberts, Susan

Submitted to: American Aging Association
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/2/2006
Publication Date: 6/2/2006
Citation: Meydani, M., Band, M., Epstein, S., Das, S., Roberts, S. 2006. The effect of caloric restriction and glycemic load on measures of oxidative stress and antioxidants in humans. AGE. 28(1):53.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: It has been suggested that reduction in oxidative stress and increase in antioxidant defense is one potential mechanism by which caloric restriction (CR) increases longevity in several animal models. To determine whether a short-term CR modulates indices of oxidative stress and antioxidants defense in moderately overweight subjects, a total of 46 subjects, age 20-42 yr with BMI of 25-30 kg per m2 were recruited and randomized to one of 2 dietary groups, i.e., high glycemic (HG) load (60percent CHO, 20percent protein, 20percent fat) or low glycemic (LG) load (40percent CHO, 30percent protein, 30percent fat) with food provided at a level of CR, which was either 10percent (n=12) or 30percent of their basal caloric intake (n=34) for 6 mo. Blood and urine samples were collected at baseline and after 6 mo of CR. CR intervention for 6 mo significantly (p=0. 002) increased glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity in plasma compared to baseline (82.53 + or - 2.87 vs. 75.01 + or -2.35 nmol/min/mL), which was more prominent in the 30percent CR group on the HG diet (86.60 + or -3.53vs.73.69 + or -3.00, p=0.004). However, the activity of other indigenous antioxidants such as SOD and catalase were not affected by CR. The level of plasma protein carbonyls was significantly reduced with CR (57.60 + or - 1.86 vs.62.23 + or - 1.65 nmol/mL, p=0.005). The HG diet for 6 mo significantly reduced plasma protein carbonyl levels in the 30percent CR group (54.38 + or -3.18 vs. 60.74 + or -2.89, p=0.01), but the LG diet marginally (p=0.096) decreased this index of oxidative stress in 30percent CR (59.89 + or -2.24 vs.64.18 +/- 2.53). CR was effective in reducing the plasma 8-isoprostane levels (141.21 + or - 21.92 vs.165.11 + or -23.95 pg/mL, p=0.026); however, the reduction in this index did not reach a statistical significance in each of the diet groups. The urinary 8-OHdG level was not affected by CR or dietary glycemic loads. In conclusion, short term CR either by 10percent or 30percent in moderately overweight subjects reduces some but not all measures of oxidative stress and antioxidants. HG load in CR may favorably increase plasma GPX, an antioxidant defense enzyme, and decrease oxidative stress to body proteins. Funded by NIA grant: NGA-3U01-AG20480