Mechanistic perspectives of calorie restriction on vascular homeostasis

Calorie restriction (CR) is a dietary regime based on low calorie intake. CR without malnutrition extends lifespan in a wide range of organisms from yeast to rodents, and CR can prevent and delay the onset of age-related functional decline and diseases in human and non-human primates. CR is a safe and effective intervention to reduce vascular risk factors in humans. In recent years, studies in rodents have provided mechanistic insights into the beneficial effects of CR on vascular homeostasis, including reduced oxidative stress, enhanced nitric oxide (NO) bioactivity, and decreased inflammation. A number of important molecules, including sirtuins, AMP-activated protein kinase, mammalian targets of rapamycin, endothelial nitric oxidase and their regulatory pathways are involved in the maintenance of vascular homeostasis. Evidence has shown that these pathways are responsible for many aspects of CR's effects, and that they may also mediate the effects of CR on vasculature.