Late-life protein or isoleucine restriction impacts physiological and molecular signatures of aging.

Chung-Yang Yeh, Lucas C S Chini, Jessica W Davidson, Gonzalo G Garcia, Meredith S Gallagher, Isaac T Freichels, Mariah F Calubag, Allison C Rodgers, Cara L Green, Reji Babygirija, Michelle M Sonsalla, Heidi H Pak, Michaela E Trautman, Timothy A Hacker, Richard A Miller, Judith A Simcox, Dudley W Lamming

Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA. · pubmed

Paper

Abstract

Restricting the intake of protein or the branched-chain amino acid isoleucine promotes healthspan and extends lifespan in young or adult mice. However, their effects when initiated in aged animals are unknown. Here we investigate the consequences of consuming a diet with 67% reduction of all amino acids (low AA) or of isoleucine alone (low Ile), in male and female C57BL/6J.Nia mice starting at 20 months of age. Both dietary regimens effectively promote overall metabolic health without reducing calorie intake. Both low AA and low Ile diets improve aspects of frailty and slow multiple molecular indicators of aging rate; however, the low Ile diet reduces grip strength in both sexes and has mixed, sexually dimorphic effects on the heart. These results demonstrate that low AA and low Ile diets can promote aspects of healthy aging in aged mice and suggest that similar interventions might promote healthy aging in older adults.

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Research summary

The paper investigates the effects of dietary protein and isoleucine restriction on aging in aged mice, which is directly related to the mechanisms of aging and potential interventions to promote healthy aging. While the findings contribute to our understanding of dietary impacts on aging, the results appear to be incremental rather than groundbreaking, as they primarily confirm existing hypotheses about dietary restriction without introducing novel mechanisms or significant new insights.

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