Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Surveying Low-Cost Methods to Measure Lifespan and Healthspan in Caenorhabditis elegans
10:08

Surveying Low-Cost Methods to Measure Lifespan and Healthspan in Caenorhabditis elegans

Published on: May 18, 2022

Compounds that confer thermal stress resistance and extended lifespan

Michael G Benedetti1, Amanda L Foster, Maithili C Vantipalli

  • 1The Buck Institute, 8001 Redwood Boulevard, Novato, CA 94945, USA.

Experimental Gerontology
|August 30, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Researchers identified chemical compounds that mimic stress responses, extending lifespan in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. These antioxidants offer potential strategies for combating age-related diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Pharmacology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Aging is a primary risk factor for numerous diseases.
  • Genetic manipulation can extend lifespan and healthspan in model organisms.
  • Stress resistance is a common trait in long-lived species.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify chemical compounds that mimic stress responses.
  • To investigate the effects of antioxidants on stress resistance and lifespan.
  • To explore potential therapeutic strategies for age-related diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Tested compounds acting as stress response mimetics.
  • Focused on compounds with antioxidant properties.
  • Assessed thermal stress resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans.
  • Measured lifespan extension in response to tested compounds.

Main Results:

  • Identified several compounds conferring thermal stress resistance.
  • Lipoic acid, propyl gallate, trolox, and taxifolin extended lifespan.
  • Findings support the model that enhanced stress resistance slows aging.

Conclusions:

  • Antioxidant compounds can enhance stress resistance and extend lifespan in C. elegans.
  • These findings suggest potential pharmacological interventions for age-related diseases.
  • Further research into stress response mimetics could yield novel anti-aging strategies.

More Related Videos

A Testing Platform for Durability Studies of Polymers and Fiber-reinforced Polymer Composites under Concurrent Hygrothermo-mechanical Stimuli07:15

A Testing Platform for Durability Studies of Polymers and Fiber-reinforced Polymer Composites under Concurrent Hygrothermo-mechanical Stimuli

Published on: December 11, 2014

Artificial Thermal Ageing of Polyester Reinforced and Polyvinyl Chloride Coated Technical Fabric07:48

Artificial Thermal Ageing of Polyester Reinforced and Polyvinyl Chloride Coated Technical Fabric

Published on: January 29, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Thermal Stress01:09

Thermal Stress

If the temperature of an object is changed while it is prevented from expanding or contracting, the object is subjected to stress. The stress is compressive if the object expands in the absence of constraint and tensile if it contracts. This stress resulting from temperature change is known as thermal stress. It can be quite large and can cause damage. To avoid this stress, engineers may design components so they can expand and contract freely. For instance, on highways, gaps are deliberately...
Responses to Heat and Cold Stress02:45

Responses to Heat and Cold Stress

Every organism has an optimum temperature range within which healthy growth and physiological functioning can occur. At the ends of this range, there will be a minimum and maximum temperature that interrupt biological processes.
Thermal expansion and Thermal stress: Problem Solving01:27

Thermal expansion and Thermal stress: Problem Solving

San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge is exposed to temperatures ranging from -15 °C to 40 °C. At its coldest, the main span of the bridge is 1275 m long. Assuming that the bridge is made entirely of steel, what is the change in its length between these temperatures?
To solve the problem, first, identify the known and unknown quantities. The initial length (L) of the bridge is 1275 m, the coefficient of linear expansion (α) for steel is 12 x 10-6/°C, and the change in temperature (ΔT) is 55 °C.
Thermal Strain01:19

Thermal Strain

Thermal strain is a concept that arises when we consider how temperature changes affect structures. Unlike the conventional assumption that structures remain constant under load, real-world scenarios often involve temperature fluctuations that can significantly impact these structures. Consider a homogeneous rod with a uniform cross-section resting freely on a flat horizontal surface. If the rod's temperature increases, the rod elongates. This elongation is proportional to the temperature...
Diversity of Archaea IV01:29

Diversity of Archaea IV

Hyperthermophilic archaea are a group of extremophiles thriving at temperatures above 80°C, often in hydrothermal vents and volcanic soils where conditions surpass the boiling point of water. At such temperatures, proteins, membranes, and DNA in most organisms degrade, but hyperthermophiles have evolved remarkable adaptations to maintain stability and function.Unique Cellular FeaturesHyperthermophilic membranes are composed of a monolayer of biphytanyl tetraether lipids, which resist thermal...
Diversity of Archaea III01:27

Diversity of Archaea III

Crenarchaeota, a prominent phylum of Archaea, is remarkable for its ability to thrive in extreme environments characterized by high temperatures and acidity. These microorganisms inhabit sulfuric hot springs, volcanic systems, and submarine hydrothermal vents, where temperatures often exceed 100°C. The unique adaptations of Crenarchaeota not only allow survival under such extreme conditions but also provide insights into the mechanisms of life in primordial Earth-like environments.Morphological...