Evolutionary medicine: from dwarf model systems to healthy centenarians?

Science. 2003 Feb 28;299(5611):1342-6. doi: 10.1126/science.1077991.

Abstract

Restriction of the number of calories consumed extends longevity in many organisms. In rodents, caloric restriction decreases the levels of plasma glucose and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1) and postpones or attenuates cancer, immunosenescence, and inflammation without irreversible side effects. In organisms ranging from yeast to mice, mutations in glucose or IGF-I-like signaling pathways extend life-span but also cause glycogen or fat accumulation and dwarfism. This information suggests a new category of drugs that could prevent or postpone diseases of aging with few adverse effects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aging*
  • Animals
  • Biological Evolution
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / physiology
  • Caloric Restriction
  • Drosophila / genetics
  • Drosophila / physiology
  • Dwarfism / physiopathology
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Glucose / metabolism*
  • Growth Hormone / metabolism
  • Human Growth Hormone / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / metabolism*
  • Longevity* / genetics
  • Mice
  • Models, Animal
  • Mutation
  • Signal Transduction
  • Yeasts / genetics
  • Yeasts / physiology

Substances

  • Human Growth Hormone
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
  • Growth Hormone
  • Glucose