Stress-induced preference for antioxidants by Drosophila

Area of Science:

• Animal Behavior
• Nutritional Neuroscience
• Physiology

Background:

• Animals adapt ingestive behaviors to maintain homeostasis and cope with environmental challenges.
• Self-medication, including seeking specific nutrients or toxins, is observed in extreme conditions like infection.
• Mechanisms underlying self-medication behaviors remain largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the selective intake of antioxidants by *Drosophila melanogaster* under stress.
• To elucidate the physiological mechanisms and sensory pathways involved in stress-induced nutrient preference.

Main Methods:

• Controlled exposure of fruit flies to heat stress and sleep deprivation.
• Measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and vitamin C concentrations in gut and hemolymph.
• Assessment of intestinal barrier function and survival rates.
• Investigation of sensory receptor involvement in nutrient detection.

Main Results:

• Fruit flies selectively ingested antioxidants (vitamin C, DHA) during heat stress or sleep deprivation.
• Heat stress increased gut ROS, which was reduced by vitamin C intake.
• Vitamin C levels decreased in hemolymph under heat stress but increased with vitamin C or DHA consumption.
• Vitamin C intake improved intestinal barrier function and extended survival under chronic heat stress.

Conclusions:

• *Drosophila melanogaster* exhibits selective antioxidant intake as a self-medication strategy against environmental stress.
• This behavior is linked to reduced oxidative stress, improved gut health, and enhanced survival.
• The preference for vitamin C appears mediated by an interoceptive mechanism, independent of known peripheral chemosensory receptors.