LAUSR

Chitosan is a polysaccharide made up of β1,4-linked D-glucosamine (GlcN) and N-acetyl-GlcN. In this study, we evaluated the possible caloric restriction mimetic effect of dietary chitosan on systemic redox status, inflammatory biomarkers and lipid profile in plasma and erythrocyte samples of D-galactose induced mimetically aged rats . We found a significant increase (p< 0.05) in the reactive oxygen species , protein carbonyl, fasting glucose, body weight, cholesterol, triglyceride, inflammatory markers -IL-6 & TNF-alpha in an accelerated senescent rat model. There was also a significant decrease (p< 0.05) in glutathione, advanced glycation end product in senescent rats. Chitosan treatment increased Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Potential, glutathione, plasma membrane reduced system in accelerated senescent model of rats. .Our finding suggests that Chitosan has properties similar to a caloric restriction mimetic and can effectively maintain the redox homeostasis during the aging process in rat erythrocytes.