Caloric restriction prevents oxidative damage induced by the carcinogen clofibrate in mouse

Long-term caloric restriction in rodents is known to decrease levels of oxi dative damage, which may contribute to an 'anti-ageing' effect. We show her e that a shorter period (10 months) of caloric restriction had only small e ffects on levels of oxidative DNA and protein damage in the livers of mice, but completely attenuated increased oxidative damage caused by the carcino gen clofibrate. Since clofibrate is thought to evert its actions by increas ing oxidative damage, our data suggest that 10 months of caloric restrictio n can increase the resistance of tissues to agents inducing oxidative stres s. This may be an important factor in explaining how caloric restriction de creases cancer incidence. (C) 2000 Federation of European Biochemical Socie ties.