Objective: 

To investigate whether calorie restriction affects plasma coagulation factors and cell division.

Methods: 

Nineteen male Wistar rats were randomized into three groups and kept individually in metabolic cages. Rats in first group (control) were given normal rat chow ad libitum, while other two groups were given either 80% or 70% of the same chow diet consumed by the controls for 30 days. All groups received tap water ad libitum. Food and water intake and weight changes were recorded throughout the experiment. Blood samples were obtained from tail vein to determine fibrinogen, prothrombine time (PTT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), factor-II (FII), factor-X (FX), and factor-XII (FXII) values or activities at baseline (day 0), 10th, 20th, and 30th days. Duodenum, liver and testes were collected. Coagulation factors were measured using coagulometer. Mitotic index was determined in organs morphometrically. Data were evaluated with analysis of variance for repeated measures in factor time.

Results: 

Body weights and water consumption of animals are decreased in both food restriction groups, but the decreases were confirmed only for 30% restriction group compared to controls (P<.001). Dietary interventions had no effect on coagulation factors. However; APTT, FX, FXII and fibrinogen were affected by time. Compared to their baselines APTTwere prolonged at days 20 and 30, fibrinogens were increased at day 30, FX were decreased during all experimental period, and FXII levels were increased at the 10th and 30th days of experiment. Mitotic activity was increased in restricted groups only in duodenum.

Conclusions: 

The findings did not confirm any effect of dietary restriction on coagulation factors studied, but the effect of time was significant.