Abstract
Extension of mammalian health and life span has been achieved using various dietary interventions. We previously reported that restricting dietary methionine (MET) content extends life span only when growth hormone signaling is intact (no life span increase in GH deficiency or GH resistance). To understand the metabolic responses of altered dietary MET in the context of accelerated aging (high GH), the current study evaluated MET and related pathways in short-living GH transgenic (GH Tg) and wild-type mice following 8 weeks of restricted (0.16%), low (0.43%), or enriched (1.3%) MET consumption. Liver MET metabolic enzymes were suppressed in GH Tg compared to diet-matched wild-type mice. MET metabolite levels were differentially affected by GH status and diet. SAM:SAH ratios were markedly higher in GH Tg mice. Glutathione levels were lower in both genotypes consuming 0.16% MET but reduced in GH Tg mice when compared to wild type. Tissue thioredoxin and glutaredoxin were impacted by diet and GH status. The responsiveness to the different MET diets is reflected across many metabolic pathways indicating the importance of GH signaling in the ability to discriminate dietary amino acid levels and alter metabolism and life span.