Extension of life-span with superoxide dismutase/catalase mimetics.
We tested the theory that reactive oxygen species cause aging. We augmented the natural antioxidant systems of Caenorhabditis elegans with small synthetic superoxide dismutase/catalase mimetics. Treatment of wild-type worms increased their mean life-span by a mean of 44 percent, and treatment of prematurely aging worms resulted in normalization of their life-span (a 67 percent increase). It appears that oxidative stress is a major determinant of life-span and that it can be counteracted by pharmacological intervention.
Melov
S
S
Buck Institute for Age Research, Novato, CA 94949, USA.
Ravenscroft
J
J
Malik
S
S
Gill
M S
MS
Walker
D W
DW
Clayton
P E
PE
Wallace
D C
DC
Malfroy
B
B
Doctrow
S R
SR
Lithgow
G J
GJ
D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism*; D012734:Disorders of Sex Development; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects; D008136:Longevity / Q000187:drug effects; D018716:Molecular Mimicry; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism*
D000975:Antioxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase