Effect of vitamin E on lifespan and reproduction in Caenorhabditis elegans.
Vitamin E extends the lifespan of many animals, including the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Our results confirm previous studies that 200 micrograms/ml vitamin E significantly prolonged C. elegans survival (17-23%, P less than 0.05) when added from hatching to day 3, while continuous exposure, either at hatching or from 4 days prior to hatching, had little additional effect. Treatment with 100 or 400 micrograms/ml vitamin E, or with other antioxidants (80 micrograms/ml vitamin C, either alone or in combination with vitamin E, or 120 micrograms/ml N,N'-diphenyl-1,4-diphenylenediamine (DPPD] did not significantly affect lifespan. All treatments with 200 micrograms/ml vitamin E moderately reduced fecundity (total progeny) and increased the mean day of reproduction. At 400 micrograms/ml, vitamin E had severe effects, while DPPD, vitamin C, and 100 micrograms/ml vitamin E had slight effects on both these parameters of reproduction. These data suggest that vitamin E increases lifespan in C. elegans in part by slowing development in the same manner that metabolic-depressant or mildly cytotoxic drugs increase lifespan, decrease fecundity, and delay the timing of reproduction.
Harrington
L A
LA
Department of Biochemistry, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Harley
C B
CB
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D002107:Caenorhabditis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D008136:Longevity / Q000187:drug effects*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000975:Antioxidants; D014810:Vitamin E