[Comparative study of of natural and radiation-induced aging in mice]

Aging of female CBA mice was accelerated by irradiation of the head at 10 and 12 Gy. The mean life span was shortened by 10.5 and 21%, respectively. The distribution by life span was similar in the control and experimental groups. The level of DNA oxidation products in the urine was normalized within 28 days after irradiation. At the age of more than 7.5 months, the irradiated mice had a lower body weight. Age-related changes of body temperature in irradiated (10 Gy) and control mice mostly coincided; the differences were evident after 18 months. It was concluded that physiological and radiation-induced aging are significantly similar.