Larval crowding results in hormesis-like effects on longevity in Drosophila: timing of eclosion as a model.

There is increasing evidence that stress during development can affect adult-life health status and longevity. In the present study, we examined life span (LS), fly weight, fecundity and expression levels of longevity-associated genes (Hsp70, InR, dSir2, dTOR and dFOXO) in adult Drosophila melanogaster flies reared in normal [low density (LD), ~ 300-400 eggs per jar] or crowded [high density (HD), more than 3000 eggs per jar] conditions by using the order (day) of emergence as an index of the developmental duration (HD1-5 groups). Developmental time showed a significant trend to increase while weight showed a significant trend to decrease with increasing the timing of emergence. In both males and females eclosed during first 2 days in HD conditions (HD1 and HD2 groups), both mean and maximum LSs were significantly increased in comparison to LD group. In males, mean LS was increased by 24.0% and 23.5% in HD1 and HD2 groups, respectively. In females, corresponding increments in mean LS were 23.8% (HD1 group) and 29.3% (HD2 group). In HD groups, a strong negative association with developmental time has been found for both male and female mean and male maximum LSs; no association with growth rate was observed for female maximum LS. The female reproductive activity (fecundity) tended to decrease with subsequent days of eclosion. In HD groups, the levels of expression of all studied longevity-associated genes tended to increase with the timing of eclosion in males; no differences were observed in females. On the basis of findings obtained, it can be assumed that the development in conditions of larval overpopulation (if not too extended) could trigger hormetic response thereby extending the longevity. Further studies are, however, needed to confirm this assumption.

[Effect of the histone deacetylase inhibitor sodium butyrate on the viability and life span in Drosophila melanogaster].

Histone acetylation (one of the most important epigenetic mechanisms controlling gene expression) has been recently shown to be involved in life span (LS) determination. There are some data indicating the geroprotective potential of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors. In the present study, the effects of HDAC inhibitor, sodium butyrate (SB), on the parameters of viability and LS of Drosophila melanogaster were studied. Since SB is an efficient inducer of epigenetic changes, it can be assumed that its use as a life-extending agent (geroprotector) can be quite promising.

[Cancer incidence and mortality after low-dose radiation exposure: epidemiological aspects].

Current recommendations for limiting exposure to ionizing radiation are based on the linear-no-threshold (LNT) model for radiation carcinogenesis under which every dose, no matter how low, carries with it some cancer risk. In this review, epidemiological evidences are discussed that the LNT hypothesis is incorrect at low doses. A large set of data was accumulated that showed that cancer risk after ordinarily encountered radiation exposure (natural background radiation, medical X-rays, etc.) is much lower than projections based on the LNT model. The discovery of the low-level radiation hormesis (stimulating effect) implies a non-linear dose-response curve in the low-dose region. The further studies in this field will provide new insights about the mechanisms of radiation carcinogenesis.

[Molecular and cellular aspects of radiation hormesis in Drosophila melanogaster]. / Molekuliarnye i kletochnye aspekty radiatsionnogo gormezisa u Drosophila melanogaster.

The long-term effects of the R-irradiation of D. melanogaster at the 1-hour egg stage with the dosages of 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 Gy were investigated. DNA samples were isolated from whole 5-6-days adult males. The aliquots of DNA were digested by S1-nuclease. Preimaginal stage lethality increased with irradiation dose increasing. At the same time, decrease in imaginal LS (life span) was observed after irradiation with the greatest dose (4 Gy) only. Moreover, hormesis by LS has revealed: in males irradiation with 0.25, 0.75 and 1 Gy increased the mean LS, and with 0.25 and 0.5 Gy caused the maximum LS; in females exposures with 0.25, 0.75 and 2 Gy increased the maximum LS. The densitometric assay of DNA electrophoregrams showed decrease by 39.2% of the part of high-molecular-weight DNA in control as a result of S1-nuclease action. Samples of DNA from the irradiated flies were more stable to enzyme action. The higher stability of DNA originated from the irradiated flies could be the result of reparation system activation. Ultrastructural changes induced at the egg stage by irradiation at the dose of 0.75 Gy testify the increased transcriptional activity of the brain cells.

Seasonal programming of adult longevity in Ukraine.

Longevity was significantly associated with season of birth in 101,634 individuals who died in Kiev during the period 1990-2000. The relationship between age at death and month of birth showed a very similar pattern for both men and women. Mean values for the age at death were lowest for subjects born in April-July, and highest for individuals born at the beginning and end of the year. Minimum and maximum ages at death, analysed according to month of birth, differed by 2.6 years in men and 2.3 years in women. For all major causes of death causes, the mean age at death for persons born in the fourth quarter was the highest. These results suggest that, in this population, longevity is affected by prenatal or early postnatal seasonal factors. This is consistent with the hypothesis that the rate of ageing may be programmed in response to environmental influences at critical periods of early development.