Calorie restriction duration and brain redox in aging male Wistar rats
In male Wistar rats, long- and short-term calorie restriction improved frailty and antioxidant defenses at 18 months; at 24 months short-term restriction showed a glutathione-related antioxidant response and less macromolecular oxidation but no frailty improvement. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
Male Wistar rats received ad libitum feeding, long-term restriction from 6 months, or short-term restriction from 15 or 21 months, and were sacrificed at 18 or 24 months. [1]
At 18 months, both long- and short-term restriction improved frailty and enhanced antioxidant defenses. [1]
At 24 months, short-term restriction was associated with a glutathione-related antioxidant response and reduced macromolecular oxidation without improving frailty. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Animal study (abstract)
- Population / context
- Male Wistar rats
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- August 13, 2026
Rat feeding groups and timing of restriction
The study used male Wistar rats kept on ad libitum feeding or calorie restriction. Long-term restriction began at 6 months of age; short-term restriction began at 15 or 21 months. Animals were sacrificed at 18 or 24 months. The researchers measured frailty, oxidative damage in the brain, antioxidant defense, systemic redox status and protein expression of redox-related enzymes.
Supporting source [1]
Frailty and redox findings at 18 and 24 months
At 18 months, both long- and short-term restriction improved frailty and enhanced antioxidant defenses. At 24 months, short-term restriction was associated with a pronounced glutathione-related antioxidant response and reduced macromolecular oxidation, but frailty did not improve. Systemic redox indices pointed to age-dependent metabolic adaptation rather than a uniform antioxidant effect.
Supporting source [1]
Abstract-only scope and open mechanisms
The authors conclude that calorie restriction is associated with age- and duration-dependent differences in redox-related parameters in brain tissue, with differential regulation of antioxidant responses under the conditions applied. They state that the underlying mechanisms and their functional significance require further investigation. These are rat findings; they do not establish effects on human lifespan or health.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
This explainer is based only on the abstract; the full text was not reviewed. The study was in male Wistar rats, so the findings do not establish effects in humans. The authors note that mechanisms and functional significance need further investigation.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Milanovic D, Pavlović S, Prvulovic M, Mitić SB, Sokanovic S, Pracer S, Mladenovic A. · europepmc.org · August 13, 2026