Title
Prolongation of life in an experimental model of aging in Drosophila
melanogaster.
Source
Neurochemical Research. 24(2):227-33, 1999 Feb.
Abstract
(R)-Deprenyl, the archetypical monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor, has been shown
to increase life-span in a number of species. Although many theories for this
effect have been suggested, for example, an increase in superoxide dismutase
(SOD) activity, the mechanism of action has yet to be
elucidated. To investigate this phenomenon, we have examined the effects of
(R)-deprenyl, and some aliphatic propargylamines, in an experimental aging
model in Drosophila melanogaster. Both wild-type Oregon-R type flies, as well
as a SOD knock-out mutant
strain were used. Flies obtained from a series of paired mates were divided
equally among treatment groups. In all studies, flies were treated for the
duration of life following adult emergence. The aging model consists of
substitution of sucrose with galactose in the regular food media of the
flies. Initial experiments confirmed that such a substitution resulted in a
significant (p < 0.01, Breslow test) reduction in mean and maximal life-span
of flies, an effect not due to nutrient deprivation. Inclusion of
(R)-deprenyl and the aliphatic propargylamines in the media, at average daily
doses in the range 0.5-1 ng/fly/day, led to a significant increase in mean
and maximal life-span of galactose-treated, but not control flies. This
effect was seen in both wild-type and mutant flies.
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