Abstract
We tested the theory that reactive oxygen species cause aging. We augmented the natural antioxidant systems of Caenorhabditis elegans with small synthetic superoxide dismutase/catalase mimetics. Treatment of wild-type worms increased their mean life-span by a mean of 44 percent, and treatment of prematurely aging worms resulted in normalization of their life-span (a 67 percent increase). It appears that oxidative stress is a major determinant of life-span and that it can be counteracted by pharmacological intervention.
Publication types
-
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
-
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
-
Aging / drug effects*
-
Animals
-
Antioxidants / pharmacology*
-
Caenorhabditis elegans / drug effects
-
Caenorhabditis elegans / physiology*
-
Catalase / metabolism*
-
Disorders of Sex Development
-
Fertility / drug effects
-
Longevity / drug effects
-
Molecular Mimicry
-
Oxidative Stress
-
Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
-
Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism*
Substances
-
Antioxidants
-
Reactive Oxygen Species
-
Catalase
-
Superoxide Dismutase