Functional and molecular mechanisms underlying reduced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation under dietary restricted feeding conditions

Dietary restriction (DR) across a wide phylogenetic range increases both mean and maximal lifespan by retarding the ageing process and delaying the onset and incidence of age-related pathologies. DR animals exhibit reduced tissue oxidative damage but anti-oxidant enzyme activities and other defence mechanisms against reactive oxygen species (ROS) are not consistently upregulated In such animals. As an alternative explanation ROS generation was Studied in isolated mitochondria from tissues of DR rats. About 90% of cellular ROS generation is thought to result from the single electron transfer to molecular oxygen within the mitochondria. Indeed mitochondria isolated from a range of tissues from DR rats had lower rates of H2O2 generation when compared to age matched control animals, whilst mitochondrial state III and IV respiration rates were unaltered.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo