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Published on: June 30, 2011
Ribose-induced advanced glycation end products reduce the lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster by changing the redox
Lokanath Mishra1, Monalisa Mishra2
1Neural Developmental Biology Lab, Department of Life Science, NIT Rourkela, Rourkela, 769008, India.
Abstract:
Advanced Glycation End (AGE) products are one such factor that accumulates during aging and age-related diseases. However, how exogenous AGE compounds cause aging is an area that needs to be explored. Specifically, how an organ undergoes aging and aging-related phenomena that need further investigation. The intestine is the most exposed area to food substances. How AGEs affect the intestine in terms of aging need to be explored. Drosophila melanogaster, a well-known model organism, is used to decode aging and age-associated phenomena. In this study, we fed Ribose induced Advanced Glycation End products (Rib-AGE) to D. melanogaster to study the aging mechanism. The Rib-AGE-induced aging was checked in Drosophila. We found a series of changes in Rib-AGE-fed flies. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide species (NOs) were higher in the Rib-AGE-fed flies, and the antioxidant level was lower. The intestinal permeability was altered. The microorganism load was higher inside the gut. The structural arrangement of the gut's microfilament was found to be damaged, and the nuclear shape was found to be irregular. Cell death within the gut was elevated in comparison to control. The food intake was found to be reduced. The relative mRNA expression of the Sirtuin 2 and Sirtuin 6 gene of D. melanogaster was downregulated in Rib-AGE-fed flies compared to the control. All these findings strongly suggest that Rib-AGE accelerates aging and age-related disorders in D. melanogaster.
Insights
Dietary Advanced Glycation End products accelerate aging in fruit flies. Ribose-induced AGEs increased oxidative stress, gut damage, and reduced lifespan, suggesting a role in age-related decline.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and molecular biology
- Gastroenterology and aging research
Background:
- Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs) are implicated in aging and age-related diseases.
- The impact of exogenous AGEs on organ aging, particularly the intestine, requires further investigation.
- The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, serves as a model organism for studying aging processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the aging mechanisms induced by exogenous Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs) in the intestine of Drosophila melanogaster.
- To explore the effects of Ribose-induced AGEs (Rib-AGEs) on the aging process in a model organism.
Main Methods:
- Feeding Drosophila melanogaster with Ribose-induced Advanced Glycation End products (Rib-AGEs).
- Assessing aging indicators including oxidative stress markers (ROS, NOs), antioxidant levels, intestinal permeability, gut microbiota, gut structure, and cell death.
- Analyzing gene expression of Sirtuin 2 and Sirtuin 6.
Main Results:
- Rib-AGE feeding led to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide species (NOs), and decreased antioxidant levels.
- Alterations in intestinal permeability, increased gut microorganism load, and damage to gut microfilaments and nuclear structure were observed.
- Elevated gut cell death, reduced food intake, and downregulation of Sirtuin 2 and Sirtuin 6 mRNA expression were noted in Rib-AGE-fed flies.
Conclusions:
- Exogenous Rib-AGEs accelerate aging and age-related disorders in Drosophila melanogaster.
- Rib-AGEs induce significant physiological and molecular changes consistent with accelerated aging in the gut.
- These findings highlight the detrimental role of dietary AGEs in the aging process.
