Working with the rhesus monkey, we were faced with precious little data to examine age-related changes. The literature on aging in any nonhuman primate is sparse. However, it stands to reason that if a parameter purports to reflect the rate of aging, then the rate of age-related change should be slower within a CR group compared with controls. If true, this rate of change is truly predictive of differences in life span. Meanwhile, we have been successful in identifying several possible candidate biomarkers of aging.
Alkaline phosphatase is produced primarily by the liver, and is important for bone formation.
Many recent articles have appeared touting the possible anti-aging effects of this hormone. First, of course, only two variables are represented. To answer the question, we would want to evaluate data across a much wider range of function. Secondly, even though the rate of decline in these parameters is divergent, we do not know that the slowdown in the decline of either parameter will be predictive of longer life, since we do not yet know that our monkeys on CR will live longer. A lthough we have no conclusive evidence that calorie restriction is retarding the rate of aging in our monkeys, we are encouraged by results produced so far.