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Updated: Mar 7, 2026
Assessment of Chemical Toxicity in Adult Drosophila Melanogaster
Published on: March 24, 2023
Exposure to sodium molybdate results in mild oxidative stress in Drosophila melanogaster
Natalia V Perkhulyn1, Bohdana M Rovenko1, Oleh V Lushchak1
1a Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology , Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University , Ivano-Frankivsk , Ukraine.
Objectives:
The study was conducted to assess the redox status of Drosophila flies upon oral intake of insulin-mimetic salt, sodium molybdate (Na2MoO4).
Methods:
Oxidative stress parameters and activities of antioxidant and associated enzymes were analyzed in two-day-old D. melanogaster insects after exposure of larvae and newly eclosed adults to three molybdate levels (0.025, 0.5, or 10 mM) in the food.
Results:
Molybdate increased content of low molecular mass thiols and activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-transferase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in males. The activities of these enzymes were not affected in females. Males exposed to molybdate demonstrated lower carbonyl protein levels than the control cohort, whereas females at the same conditions had higher carbonyl protein content and catalase activity than ones in the control cohort. The exposure to 10 mM sodium molybdate decreased the content of protein thiols in adult flies of both sexes. Sodium molybdate did not affect the activities of NADP-dependent malate dehydrogenase and thioredoxin reductase in males or NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase in either sex at any concentration.
Discussion:
Enhanced antioxidant capacity in upon Drosophila flies low molybdate levels in the food suggests that molybdate can be potentially useful for the treatment of certain pathologies associated with oxidative stress.
Insights
Sodium molybdate intake enhances antioxidant capacity in male fruit flies, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits for oxidative stress-related diseases. Further research is needed to confirm these findings in females.
Area of Science:
- * Biochemistry and toxicology
- * Insect models for oxidative stress research
Background:
- * Oxidative stress is implicated in various pathologies.
- * Insulin-mimetic compounds are being investigated for therapeutic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To evaluate the impact of sodium molybdate (Na2MoO4) on the redox status of Drosophila melanogaster.
- * To assess the effects of oral sodium molybdate intake on antioxidant enzyme activities and oxidative stress markers.
Main Methods:
- * Drosophila melanogaster larvae and adults were exposed to varying concentrations of sodium molybdate (0.025, 0.5, 10 mM) in their diet.
- * Analysis of oxidative stress parameters, including low molecular mass thiols, carbonyl proteins, and protein thiols.
- * Assay of antioxidant enzyme activities: catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-transferase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, NADP-dependent malate dehydrogenase, thioredoxin reductase, and NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase.
Main Results:
- * Sodium molybdate increased low molecular mass thiols and the activity of several antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-transferase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) in male flies.
- * Females showed no significant changes in these enzyme activities, but exhibited higher carbonyl protein content and catalase activity at certain conditions.
- * High molybdate concentration (10 mM) reduced protein thiols in both sexes, while specific enzyme activities remained unaffected.
Conclusions:
- * Oral intake of sodium molybdate at low levels enhances antioxidant capacity in Drosophila, particularly in males.
- * These findings suggest that sodium molybdate may hold potential for treating conditions linked to oxidative stress.
- * Sex-specific responses indicate the need for further investigation into the mechanisms underlying molybdate's effects.
