Methionine restriction increases blood glutathione and longevity in F344 rats

The FASEB JournalVolume 8, Issue 15 p. 1302-1307 Research Communications Methionine restriction increases blood glutathione and longevity in F344 rats John P. Richie Jr., Corresponding Author John P. Richie Jr. n/[email protected] Division of Nutritional Carcinogenesis, American Health Foundation, Valhalla, New York, 10595 USATo whom correspondence and reprint requests should be sent, at: Division of Nutritional Carcinogenesis, American Health Foundation, One Dana Road, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA.Search for more papers by this authorYvonne Leutzinger, Yvonne Leutzinger Division of Nutritional Carcinogenesis, American Health Foundation, Valhalla, New York, 10595 USASearch for more papers by this authorSaudhamini Parthasarathy, Saudhamini Parthasarathy Orentreich Foundation for the Advancement of Science, Inc., Cold Spring-on-Hudson, New York, 10516 USASearch for more papers by this authorVirginia Maixoy, Virginia Maixoy Orentreich Foundation for the Advancement of Science, Inc., Cold Spring-on-Hudson, New York, 10516 USASearch for more papers by this authorNorman Orentreich, Norman Orentreich Orentreich Foundation for the Advancement of Science, Inc., Cold Spring-on-Hudson, New York, 10516 USASearch for more papers by this authorJay A. Zimmerman, Jay A. Zimmerman Orentreich Foundation for the Advancement of Science, Inc., Cold Spring-on-Hudson, New York, 10516 USA Department of Biological Sciences, St. John's University, Jamaica, New York, 11439 USASearch for more papers by this author John P. Richie Jr., Corresponding Author John P. Richie Jr. n/[email protected] Division of Nutritional Carcinogenesis, American Health Foundation, Valhalla, New York, 10595 USATo whom correspondence and reprint requests should be sent, at: Division of Nutritional Carcinogenesis, American Health Foundation, One Dana Road, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA.Search for more papers by this authorYvonne Leutzinger, Yvonne Leutzinger Division of Nutritional Carcinogenesis, American Health Foundation, Valhalla, New York, 10595 USASearch for more papers by this authorSaudhamini Parthasarathy, Saudhamini Parthasarathy Orentreich Foundation for the Advancement of Science, Inc., Cold Spring-on-Hudson, New York, 10516 USASearch for more papers by this authorVirginia Maixoy, Virginia Maixoy Orentreich Foundation for the Advancement of Science, Inc., Cold Spring-on-Hudson, New York, 10516 USASearch for more papers by this authorNorman Orentreich, Norman Orentreich Orentreich Foundation for the Advancement of Science, Inc., Cold Spring-on-Hudson, New York, 10516 USASearch for more papers by this authorJay A. Zimmerman, Jay A. Zimmerman Orentreich Foundation for the Advancement of Science, Inc., Cold Spring-on-Hudson, New York, 10516 USA Department of Biological Sciences, St. John's University, Jamaica, New York, 11439 USASearch for more papers by this author First published: 01 December 1994 https://doi.org/10.1096/fasebj.8.15.8001743Citations: 281AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract Little is known about the biochemical mechanisms responsible for the biological aging process. Our previous results and those of others suggest that one possible mechanism is based on the loss of glutathione (GSH), a multifunctional tripeptide present in high concentrations in nearly all living cells. The recent finding that life-long dietary restriction of the GSH precursor methionine (Met) resulted in increased longevity in rats led us to hypothesize that adaptive changes in Met and GSH metabolism had occurred, leading to enhanced GSH status. To test this, blood and tissue GSH levels were measured at different ages throughout the life span in F344 rats on control or Met-restricted diets. Met restriction resulted in a 42% increase in mean and 44% increase in maximum life span, and in 43% lower body weight compared to controls (P < 0.001). Increases in blood GSH levels of 81% and 164% were observed in mature and old Met-restricted animals, respectively (P < 0.001). Liver was apparently the source for this increase as hepatic GSH levels decreased to 40% of controls. Except for a 25% decrease in kidney, GSH was unchanged in other tissues. All changes in GSH occurred as early as 2 months after the start of the diet. Altogether, these results suggest that dramatic adaptations in sulfur amino acid metabolism occur as a result of chronic Met restriction, leading to increases in blood GSH levels and conservation of tissue GSH during aging.—Richie, J. P., Jr., Leutzinger, Y., Parthasarathy, S., Malloy, V., Orentreich, N., Zimmerman, J. A. Methionine restriction increases blood glutathione and longevity in F344 rats. FASEB J. 8, 1302-1307 (1994) Citing Literature Volume8, Issue15December 1994Pages 1302-1307 RelatedInformation