Prolongation of life in an experimental
 model of aging in Drosophila 
melanogaster 
by
 
Jordens RG, Berry MD, Gillott C, Boulton AA
Neuropsychiatry Research Unit,
 University of Saskatchewan, 
Saskatoon, Canada.  
 
     Neurochem Res 1999 Feb; 24(2):227-33
ABSTRACT
(R)-Deprenyl, the archetypical monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor, has been shown 
to increase life-span in a number of species. Although many theories for this 
effect have been suggested, for example, an increase in superoxide dismutase 
(SOD) activity, the mechanism of action has yet to be elucidated. To investigate 
this phenomenon, we have examined the effects of (R)-deprenyl, and some 
aliphatic propargylamines, in an experimental aging model in Drosophila 
melanogaster. Both wild-type Oregon-R type flies, as well as a SOD knock-out 
mutant strain were used. Flies obtained from a series of paired mates were 
divided equally among treatment groups. In all studies, flies were treated for 
the duration of life following adult emergence. The aging model consists of 
substitution of sucrose with galactose in the regular food media of the flies. 
Initial experiments confirmed that such a substitution resulted in a significant 
(p < 0.01, Breslow test) reduction in mean and maximal life-span of flies, an 
effect not due to nutrient deprivation. Inclusion of (R)-deprenyl and the 
aliphatic propargylamines in the media, at average daily doses in the range 
0.5-1 ng/fly/day, led to a significant increase in mean and maximal life-span of 
galactose-treated, but not control flies. This effect was seen in both wild-type 
and mutant flies.
MAO
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