Transcriptomic analysis of whole mouse tibia samples

The combined effects of aging and a dietary intervention of reduced energy intake, caloric restriction, were examined by conducting a bulk transcriptomic analysis of mouse whole tibia bone samples. Tissue samples were collected from mice at two different age groups, comparing old and young animals, with caloric restriction in comparison to full food access. Male C57Bl6J mice in two age groups, young mice aged 10 weeks and older mice, aged between 15-18 months, underwent caloric restriction for 8 weeks and were compared to age-matched control mice with free food access. Mice fed with the control diet received the NIH-31 rodent open formula diet, while caloric restriction mice were provided with a modified NIH-31/NIA diet, which is fortified with micronutrients. In the first week of caloric restriction, mice received a 10% restriction, followed by 20% restriction in the second week, and a restriction of 40% from the third week onward until the end of the experiment.