Pineal Peptide Preparation Epithalamin Increases the Lifespan of Fruit Flies
Anisimov V.N., Khavinson V.K., Morozov V.G.
St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology
Mechanisms of Ageing and Development 103(2): 123-132
Abstract
To test whether the anti-aging effects of Epithalamin are evolutionarily conserved, this study examined its effects on Drosophila melanogaster lifespan. Fruit flies were maintained on standard medium supplemented with Epithalamin (1μg/mL) from eclosion until death. Epithalamin-treated flies exhibited significant extensions in both mean (12.1%) and maximum (8.7%) lifespan compared to controls. Biochemical analysis revealed a 31% decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of lipid peroxidation, and a 47% increase in catalase activity in treated flies. This demonstrates that Epithalamin stimulates endogenous antioxidant defenses and is not simply a direct free radical scavenger. The conserved anti-aging effect across phyla (from invertebrates to mammals) suggests a fundamental, evolutionarily ancient mechanism of action.
Study Population
Drosophila melanogaster (Canton-S wild-type strain), mixed-sex cohorts, synchronized eclosion
Study Rationale
This study tested whether Epithalamin's anti-aging effects, previously demonstrated in mammals, would extend to invertebrates, suggesting an evolutionarily conserved mechanism.
Experimental Design
Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies) were fed standard medium supplemented with Epithalamin throughout their entire lifespan.
Key Findings
Lifespan Extension
Both male and female flies exhibited significant lifespan extensions (12.1% and 11.6% respectively), demonstrating that the effect is not sex-specific.
Antioxidant Defense
- Malondialdehyde (MDA): A marker of oxidative damage decreased by 31%
- Catalase Activity: A key antioxidant enzyme increased by 47%
This indicates Epithalamin works by boosting the organism's own defense systems rather than acting as a simple antioxidant.
Evolutionary Significance
The conserved effect across such distant species (flies and mammals) suggests Epithalamin targets a fundamental aging pathway shared across animal evolution.
Conclusion
Epithalamin's geroprotective effects are not limited to mammals but represent a universal anti-aging mechanism conserved throughout evolution.
Statistical Results
Mean lifespan: males 62.4±3.2 days (control 55.7±2.8, +12.1%, p<0.001); females 68.3±3.7 days (control 61.2±3.1, +11.6%, p<0.001). Maximum lifespan: 81 days vs. 74.5 days (+8.7%). MDA levels: 8.7±1.2 nmol/mg protein vs. control 12.6±1.8 (p<0.001). Catalase activity: 147±18 U/mg vs. control 100±12 (p<0.001).
Study Limitations
- •Invertebrate model - direct translation to humans uncertain
- •Laboratory strain may not reflect wild populations
- •Mechanism of antioxidant enzyme upregulation not fully elucidated
- •No assessment of fertility or fecundity effects
Key Findings
- ✓Lifespan extension in both sexes
- ✓Reduced lipid peroxidation
- ✓Enhanced endogenous antioxidant systems
- ✓Evolutionarily conserved mechanism
Mechanism of Action
Upregulation of endogenous antioxidant enzyme expression (catalase, SOD) via gene activation, reducing oxidative stress.