Ejm. Velthuistewierik et al., SHORT-TERM MODERATE ENERGY RESTRICTION DOES NOT AFFECT INDICATORS OF OXIDATIVE STRESS AND GENOTOXICITY IN HUMANS, The Journal of nutrition, 125(10), 1995, pp. 2631-2639
Restriction of energy intake (ER), without malnutrition of essential n
utrients, has repeatedly been demonstrated to increase longevity in ro
dents, In the antioxidant theory of aging the lack of balance between
the generation of free radicals and free radical scavenging was though
t to be a main causal agent in the aging process. From this point of v
iew the antiaging effect induced by ER might be due to the lower rate
of free-radical production and related damage induced by a lower metab
olic rate, The antiaging effects of ER might also occur in humans. Thi
s study explored the effects of a 10-week moderately energy-restricted
diet (80% of habitual) in 24 non-obese middle-aged men (16 ER subject
s, 8 controls) on resting metabolic rate (RMR) and indicators of the p
rimary antioxidant defense system, oxidative stress and genotoxicity,
RMR decreased significantly in both groups, even when adjustments were
made for the change in body composition. The increase in blood vitami
n C concentrations correlated with the increase in urinary 8-hydroxyde
oxyguanosine (80HdG) excretion, The change in urinary 80HdG excretion
also correlated with the change in RMR per kg fat-free mass. No differ
ences between groups were found for changes in indicators of genotoxic
ity, erythrocyte catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismu
tase activity and in plasma vitamin E, A or beta-carotene concentratio
ns. We conclude that 10 weeks of moderate ER did not affect indicators
of antioxidative capacity, oxidative stress and genotoxicity of human
s, Since subjects were not in energy balance at the end of the study,
no conclusions can be made with respect to long-term effects.