Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 28, 2026
Gait Analysis of Age-dependent Motor Impairments in Mice with Neurodegeneration
Published on: June 18, 2018
Effects of food restriction on motoneuronal loss with advancing age in the rat
1Department of Central Nervous System, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan. kandak@tmig.or.jp
Abstract:
The effects of life-long food restriction on motoneuronal cell death with advancing age was studied in male Fischer rats, which had access to food only 3 days a week after weaning (FR rats). Motoneurons innervating the medial gastrocnemius muscle were labeled with retrogradely transported HRP. The number of labeled motoneurons in FR rats and rats fed ad libitum (AL rats) was similar at the age of 16 months (131.8 +/- 1.7 for FR rats vs. 133.8 +/- 4.5 for AL rats). However, at 28 months of age, AL rats had less labeled motoneurons compared to FR rats (117.0 +/- 2.4 for FR rats vs. 124.3 +/- 7.0 for FR rats). The number of type I muscle fibers in the medial gastrocnemius muscle increased significantly in AL rats during the period from 16 to 28 months of age, which might reflect motor unit reorganization following retraction of axons and/or death of innervating motoneurons. FR rats did not show statistically significant alteration. These findings were also true for the data compiled from several different experiments including those conducted for primarily different purposes in our laboratory. The results suggest that life-long food restriction retards motoneuronal cell death occurring with advancing age.
Insights
Life-long food restriction in rats significantly reduced motoneuronal cell death with aging. This dietary intervention appears to protect motor neurons, promoting longevity and potentially enhancing motor function in older age.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Aging Research
- Physiology
Background:
- Aging is associated with motoneuronal cell death, impacting motor function.
- Food restriction is a known intervention that can affect aging processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term effects of life-long food restriction on motoneuronal cell death in aging male Fischer rats.
- To determine if dietary patterns influence age-related motor neuron loss.
Main Methods:
- Male Fischer rats were subjected to life-long food restriction (FR rats, food 3 days/week) or fed ad libitum (AL rats) after weaning.
- Motoneurons innervating the medial gastrocnemius muscle were labeled using retrogradely transported HRP.
- The number of labeled motoneurons and muscle fiber types were quantified at 16 and 28 months of age.
Main Results:
- At 16 months, FR and AL rats showed similar numbers of labeled motoneurons.
- By 28 months, AL rats exhibited significantly fewer labeled motoneurons compared to FR rats.
- AL rats showed an increase in type I muscle fibers, suggesting motor unit reorganization, unlike FR rats.
Conclusions:
- Life-long food restriction retards age-related motoneuronal cell death in male Fischer rats.
- Dietary interventions may play a crucial role in preserving motor neuron health during aging.
- Food restriction could be a strategy to mitigate motor neuron loss and associated functional decline.
More Related Videos
10:19Getting to Compliance in Forced Exercise in Rodents: A Critical Standard to Evaluate Exercise Impact in Aging-related Disorders and Disease
Published on: August 22, 2014
14:57Preparation of Acute Hippocampal Slices from Rats and Transgenic Mice for the Study of Synaptic Alterations during Aging and Amyloid Pathology
Published on: March 23, 2011