Multiple mild heat-shocks decrease the Gompertz component of mortality in Caenorhabditis elegans.
Exposure to mild heat-stress (heat-shock) can significantly increase the life expectancy of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. A single heat-shock early in life extends longevity by 20% or more and affects life-long mortality by decreasing initial mortality only; the rate of increase in subsequent mortality (Gompertz component) is unchanged. Repeated mild heat-shocks throughout life have a larger effect on life span than does a single heat-shock early in life. Here, we ask how multiple heat-shocks affect the mortality trajectory in nematodes and find increases of life expectancy of close to 50% and of maximum longevity as well. We examined mortality using large numbers of animals and found that multiple heat-shocks not only decrease initial mortality, but also slow the Gompertz rate of increase in mortality. Thus, multiple heat-shocks have anti-aging hormetic effects and represent an effective approach for modulating aging.
Wu
Deqing
D
Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA. Deqing.wu@gmail.com
Cypser
James R
JR
Yashin
Anatoli I
AI
Johnson
Thomas E
TE
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D018869:Heat-Shock Response / Q000502:physiology*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008136:Longevity / Q000502:physiology; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*; D016019:Survival Analysis
D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins