Effectiveness of caloric restriction in preventing age-related changes in rat skeletal muscle

The dihydropyridine receptor (DHPR) and ryanodine receptor (RYR1) are needed for excitation-contraction coupling in skeletal muscle. Previous studies from this laboratory have shown DHPR-RYR1 uncoupling in 33-month-old Fischer 344 x Brown Norway F1 (F344BNF1) rats fed ad libitum. The purpose of the present study is to determine whether caloric restriction prevents age-related impairments in skeletal muscle function and expression of DHPR and RyR1. Bundles of soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) were studied from rats fed ad libitum and on 60 percent caloric restriction. Significant differences were found in peak twitch or tetanic tension between the ad libitum and calorie-restricted groups in soleus and EDL muscles. A significant increase in the expression of DHPR and RyR1 was observed in caloric restricted rats. These results show that calorie restriction preserves the mechanical properties of aging hind-limb skeletal muscle and maintains the level of DHPR and RyR1 in aged F344BNF1 rats fed ad libitum.