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Testing the redox theory of aging under parasitism
Luís M Silva1,2, Alessandro Belli3, Jacob C Koella3
1Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland. luis.silva@ubc.ca.
Npj Aging
|March 13, 2026
Summary
Oxidative stress, linked to aging, was studied in mosquitoes. While it influenced longevity, it did not solely determine the aging process, even with parasite exposure.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Gerontology
- Molecular biology
Background:
- The redox theory of aging suggests oxidative imbalance drives senescence.
- Infection may exacerbate oxidative stress and aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of oxidative stress in the evolution of aging.
- To examine the interplay between reproduction, parasite exposure, and aging in mosquitoes.
Main Methods:
- Experimental evolution of mosquitoes under different reproductive schedules and parasite exposure.
- Quantification of longevity, fecundity, and redox markers.
Main Results:
- Selection successfully induced divergence in life-history traits.
- A weak, non-linear relationship was observed between redox markers and longevity.
- Oxidative stress was a contributing factor, not the sole determinant, of aging evolution.
Conclusions:
- Oxidative stress plays a role in the evolution of aging but does not exclusively dictate it.
- Life-history evolution is complex, involving multiple interacting factors beyond redox balance.
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