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Ascorbic acid in Drosophila and changes during aging.

H R Massie1, M E Shumway, S J Whitney

  • 1Masonic Medical Research Laboratory, Utica, New York 13501.

Experimental Gerontology
|January 1, 1991
PubMed
Summary
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Fruit flies naturally maintain high ascorbic acid levels, but this vitamin declines with age. This study investigated ascorbic acid changes and lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster, finding no lifespan improvement with supplementation.

Area of Science:

  • * Biochemistry
  • * Gerontology
  • * Drosophila melanogaster research

Background:

  • * Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is crucial for many organisms.
  • * Its endogenous synthesis and age-related changes in insects like Drosophila melanogaster are not fully understood.
  • * Previous research suggests a decline in vitamin levels with aging in various species.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To quantify ascorbic acid levels in Drosophila melanogaster strains.
  • * To investigate the relationship between ascorbic acid content, aging, and lifespan.
  • * To assess the impact of L-gulonolactone and ascorbic acid supplementation on lifespan.

Main Methods:

  • * Measurement of ascorbic acid content in newly emerged and aged flies of Oregon R and Swedish C strains.

Related Experiment Videos

  • * Determination of median lifespan at 25°C for both strains.
  • * Experimentation with cold shock and dietary supplementation (L-gulonolactone, ascorbic acid).

    • Main Results:

    • * Newly emerged Swedish C flies had higher ascorbic acid than Oregon R, but it declined more rapidly with age (70.4% vs. 19.9%).
    • * Ascorbic acid levels decreased with age in both strains, correlating with lifespan differences (Swedish C: 45 days, Oregon R: 59 days).
    • * Cold shock increased ascorbic acid in Oregon R flies; neither L-gulonolactone nor ascorbic acid supplementation extended lifespan.

    Conclusions:

    • * Drosophila melanogaster synthesizes ascorbic acid endogenously, with levels decreasing significantly during aging.
    • * Age-related decline in ascorbic acid does not appear to be the primary determinant of lifespan in these strains.
    • * Dietary supplementation with ascorbic acid or its precursor does not enhance Drosophila melanogaster lifespan.