When DNA damage persists in the genome, through replicative processes and/or through transcription-associated mutagenesis, it becomes permanent in the form of mutations and/or chromosomal breakage and instability (Heydari et al., 2007). Studies by Richardson’s laboratory suggested CR as an “intervention” that could alter the activation of specific “stress response genes”, key enzymes in DNA repair pathways, which would result in upregulation

of “DNA repair” capacity (Heydari et al., 2007 and Kirkwood and Shanley, 2005). Thus, the CR diet could enhance DNA repair, decrease DNA damage and consequently, reduce mutation frequency, which would result in maintenance of genomic stability. It would be interesting in future studies to investigate DNA damage in other brain structures, such as cortex, amygdala and cerebellum. www.selleckchem.com/products/sch-900776.html In summary, by examining calorie restriction’s effects we were able to identify GW3965 nmr hippocampal and cortical modulation which gave rise to a number of metabolic changes that improved the basal status of important parameters for cellular self-defense, such as GSH upregulation and DNA damage downregulation. The maintenance of metabolic and physiological stability during

aging is a prime determinant of longevity and brain function. Thirty male 60-day-old Wistar rats, coming from the local breeding colony (ICBS-UFRGS), were fed ad libitum or on CR diets for 12 weeks and maintained in a ventilated room at 21 °C with free access to water on a 12 h light/dark cycle. Experiments were performed according to the NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and approved by local authorities. Animals were weighted matched and divided into two different groups: Control (ad libitum) and calorie-restricted rats (CR). The CR group received a common/standard laboratory chow (Nuvilab-CR1, from Nuvital, Brazil) diet except for a lower caloric intake. The caloric restriction was progressive, initiated with 10% restriction during the first week and changed to 20% and 30% during

the second and third weeks, respectively, until the end of treatment. Food intake was daily monitored and animals were weighted weekly ( Ribeiro et al., 2009). EPM task was Galeterone performed by placing the animal just in the center of a maze with two closed arms and two open ones (44.5 cm × 11.5 cm for each arm). During a 2-min period, the number of entries into the closed arms and the time spent in the open ones were registered (Swarowsky et al., 2008). In rodents, one of the most important components of exploration (a prominent activity of the animal’s repertoire of spontaneous activity) is locomotion assessed in an open-field arena. The open field test is a locomotor behavior assessment paradigm that provides simultaneous measures of locomotion, exploration and anxiety.