Dietary Restriction and Cold Temperature Both Acutely Reduce Senescence in C. elegans

Cold/hypothermic induced longevity (CHIL) increases maximum lifespan, but the acute effects of CHIL on senescence, herein defined as the acceleration in mortality rate with age, have not been examined. Furthermore, dietary restriction (DR) also increases maximum lifespan, but the effect of DR on senescence remains controversial. Here, we demonstrate that in C. elegans, both DR and CHIL significantly reduce senescence. Furthermore, even at midlife, transfer to or from a life-extending condition acutely changes the rate of senescence. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that previous temperature or dietary conditions cause irreversible damage to the organism, but future acceleration of this damage is solely dependent on the current temperature or dietary regimen.