Influence of age and caloric restriction on expression of hepatic genes for xenobiotic and oxygen metabolizing enzymes in the mouse.

The influence of age and life-span-prolonging caloric restriction on the expression of hepatic genes for xenobiotic and activated oxygen metabolism was investigated in female C3B10RF1 mice, a long-lived hybrid strain. Animals were fed either ad libitum, or diets reduced 20% or 52% in total calories but approximately unchanged in total protein, vitamins, and minerals. Cytochrome P1- and P3-450 (cyp1A1 and cyp1A2, respectively) mRNA levels decreased approximately 40% between age 4-5 months (young) and 30-31 months (old) in ad libitum fed animals (p less than or equal to .05). Caloric restriction eliminated this decrease. Manganese-superoxide dismutase mRNA decreased significantly in old ad libitum fed mice, and caloric restriction eliminated this decrease. No change in manganese-superoxide dismutase activity was detected, probably due to its low level and the large variability inherent in the assay. Catalase mRNA increased with age, but was not affected by diet. Catalase activity increased significantly with caloric restriction in young and old mice, in the absence of an increase in catalase mRNA, suggesting translational or posttranslational effects. CuZn-superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and epoxide hydrolase mRNA, and the ratio of ribosomal to total mRNA did not change with age or diet.