Effects of N-acetyl-L-cysteine on lifespan, locomotor activity and stress-resistance of 3 Drosophila species with different lifespans

Dietary restriction (DR) is known to be one of the most effective interventions to increase stress resistance, yet the mechanisms remain elusive. One of the most obvious DR-induced changes in phenotype is an increase in locomotor activity. Although it is conceptually perceivable that nutritional scarcity should prompt enhanced foraging behavior to garner additional dietary resources, the significance of enhanced movement activity has not been associated with the DR-dependent increase of stress resistance. In this study, we confirmed that flies raised on DR exhibited enhanced locomotive activity and increased stress resistance. Excision of fly wings minimized the DR-induced increase in locomotive activity, which resulted in attenuation of the DR-dependent increase of stress resistance. The possibility that wing clipping counteracts the DR by coercing flies to have more intake was ruled out since it did not induce any weight gain. Rather it was found that elimination of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that is enhanced by DR-induced upregulation of expression of antioxidant genes was significantly reduced by wing clipping. Collectively, our data suggests that DR increased stress resistance by increasing the locomotor activity, which upregulated expression of protective genes including, but not limited to, ROS scavenger system.

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Geroprotective effects of Aronia melanocarpa fruit extract on Drosophila melanogaster

10.1101/2021.03.03.433673 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Elena Y. Platonova ◽

Nadezhda V. Zemskaya ◽

Mikhail V. Shaposhnikov ◽

Denis A. Golubev ◽

Daria V. Kukuman ◽

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Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Drosophila Melanogaster ◽

Locomotor Activity ◽

Heat Shock ◽

Stress Resistance ◽

Clock Genes ◽

Ethanol Extract ◽

Life Cycles ◽

Circadian Clock Genes ◽

Shock Proteins

AbstractAging and its consequences is one of the main problems of humanity. Phytochemicals such as polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins have great potential as geroprotectors. Plants including Aronia used as dietary supplements are an excellent source of these compounds. We have studied the effects of the ethanol extract from Aronia fruits on Drosophila melanogaster lifespan, locomotor activity, stress resistance (oxidative stress, heat shock and starvation). And also, in order to reveal the influence of Aronia extract applied to different life cycles of Drosophila melanogaster, we selected different dietary schemes for imago: throughout life, during the first two weeks (1 – 2) and during average age (4 – 6 weeks). It was revealed that the ethanol extract of chokeberry increases the median life expectancy in males and females by 5% when Drosophila melanogaster is added to the diet for 4 – 6 weeks of life. This suggests that intervention even in old age is sufficient to increase lifespan. In addition, no harmful effects of ABE on locomotor activity were found as an indicator of fly health. We showed that Aronia extract increased stress resistance to hyperthermia and oxidative stress. At the same time, Aronia extract did not significantly affect the resistance of flies to starvation. ABE supplementation has increased expression of heat shock proteins (Hsp27, Hsp68, Hsp83), oxidative stress resistance genes (Keap1, NRF, Sod1), some circadian clock genes (Clk, per) and gene of longevity Sirt1.

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