ObjectiveTo establish an in vitro model of caloric restriction (CR) with human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y cells and observe the effects of different energy supplies on the growth of SH-SY5Y cells. MethodsHuman neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y cells were cultured in different media with glucose at different concentrations:low glucose group (2 g/L), normal glucose group (3.15 g/L) and high glucose group (4.5 g/L). MTT metabolic rate, cell growth curve and LDH leakage rate were measured to observe the cell growth status of different groups. ResultsCompared with the normal control group, the cells of the high glucose group had shorter cytoplasmic processes and shrank cell bodies, showed a little bit lower MTT metabolic rate, higher LDH leakage rate and poorer growth status, while the cultured cells of the low glucose group had more extensive processes, greatly lower MTT metabolic rate and lower LDH leakage rate, and the cells grew slower but showed good morphology. ConclusionsCulture at high glucose concentration is injurious to cells and induces a higher metabolic rate, so the cells are inclined to be senescent and to die. Culture at low glucose concentration in an allowable range of caloric restriction is protective to the cells, unharmful to the cells, and favorable for cell growth and prolongs the cell survival.