MELATONIN, FREE RADICALS, IMMUNE FUNCTION AND AGING

描述：褪黑激素延长寿命的能力是有争议的， 值得商榷 支持生命延长的证据是基于1）血清 褪黑激素福尔斯随着年龄的增长而逐渐下降，2）褪黑激素可能在 抗氧化和增强免疫功能， 3)两项有限的研究表明，褪黑激素延长了平均生存期。 一个关键 本申请的目的是证实或反驳最初的观察结果 并将这些发现扩展到具有衰老专业知识的实验室， 抗氧化研究和免疫功能。 这项提案的三个目的是确定褪黑激素是否：1）延长 寿命和延迟年龄相关的病理，2）减少自由基 3）增强免疫能力。 雄性Fischer 344大鼠将 给予两个剂量（4和16（μ g/ml）的褪黑激素。 控制将包括广告 自由和热量限制的动物（最有效的抗衰老 方法）。 分析将包括平均寿命以及 与年龄有关的疾病 在单独的研究中，褪黑激素对 将检查氧化应激和免疫功能。 所有这些 研究将表明褪黑激素是否具有广泛的抗衰老作用， 包括对抗氧化活性和免疫功能的作用。

DESCRIPTION: The ability of melatonin to prolong life is controversial and debatable. The evidence to support life prolongation are based on 1) serum melatonin falls progressively with age, 2) melatonin may be important in aging by virtue of its antioxidant and enhancement of immune function, and 3) two limited studies suggest that melatonin extends mean survival. A key goal of this application is to confirm or refute the initial observations and extend these findings in a laboratory having expertise in aging, antioxidant studies and immune functions. The three aims of this proposal are to determine if melatonin: 1) Prolongs life span and delays age related pathologies, 2) Reduces free radical generation, 3) Enhances immune competence. Male Fischer 344 rats will be given two doses (4 and 16 (g/ml) of melatonin. Controls will include ad libitum and calorically restricted animals (the most effective anti-aging method). Analysis will include mean life span as well as the delay of age-related pathologies. In separate studies, the effect of melatonin on oxidative stress and immune function will be examined. Together, these studies will indicate whether melatonin has broad anti-aging effects, including actions on antioxidant activity and immune function.