Abstract:
Natural antioxidants, free radical scavengers as catalase, glutathione reductase and glutathione are considered for aging mechanism. The objective of our study was to investigate the differences in the life span of male Oregon (w.t.) and vestigial Drosophila melanogaster, the possible role of free radical scavengers such as catalase, glutathione reductase and reduced-oxidized glutathione levels in the aging process by studying the pattern of age-related changes. The life span of male Oregon D. melanogaster is longer than that of the vestigial D. melanogaster. The beginning of the dying phase of Oregon was around 40 days, while the vestigial's around 20 days. The maximum life span was 85 days in Oregon population and 56 days in vestigial population. Age-related changes of catalase activities were similar in male Oregon and vestigial and showed a decreasing curve during aging. Glutathione reductase activity of Oregon increased slightly between 10 and 40 days, decreased sharply therafter. Glutathione reductase activity of vestigial followed a pot-shaped trend with 60% decrease during the first 40 days and followed by a sharp increase during the late part of life. The amounts of reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) increased slightly up to 40 days of age and followed a sharp decline thereafter in male Oregon D. melanogaster. In male vestigial D. melanogaster, the concentrations of GSH and GSSG remained quite stable for the nogaster, the concentrations of GSH and GSSG remained quite stable for the first 10 days, followed by a sharp decline around 20th day and increased thereafter. © 1994 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.