According to recent research published in the Journals of Gerontology Series a - Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, "Calorie restriction (CR) enhances immune response and prolongs life span in animals. However, information on the applicability of these results to humans is limited."

"T-cell function declines with age, We examined effects of CR on T-cell function in humans. Forty-six overweight, nonobese participants aged 20-42 years were randomly assigned to 30% or 10% CR group for 6 months. Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH), T-cell proliferation (TP), and prostaglandin E-2 (PGE(2)) productions were determined before and after CR. DTH and TP to T cell mitogens were increased in both groups over baseline (p Obesity).

The researchers concluded: "These results, for the first time, show that 6-month CR in humans improves T-cell function."

Ahmed and colleagues published their study in the Journals of Gerontology Series a - Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences (Calorie Restriction Enhances T-Cell-Mediated Immune Response in Adult Overweight Men and Women. Journals of Gerontology Series a - Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 2009;64(11):1107-1113).

For additional information, contact S.N. Meydani, Tufts University, Jean Mayer Dept. of Agriculture, Human Nutrition Research Center Aging, Nutrition Immunology Laboratory, Boston, MA 02111, USA.

The publisher's contact information for the Journals of Gerontology Series a - Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences is: Gerontological Society American, 1030 15TH St. NW, Ste. 250, Washington, DC 20005202-842, USA.

Keywords: City:Boston, State:MA, Country:United States, Aging, Bariatrics, Cell Proliferation, Gerontology, Hypersensitivity, Obesity, Overweight, Tufts University, Department of Agriculture.

This article was prepared by Obesity & Diabetes Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Obesity & Diabetes Week via NewsRx.com.

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