Abstract
We have examined the addition of Escherichia coli to the diet at day 0 of adult life of females from two Oregon R Drosophila melanogaster strains, selected for different longevities: a short-life with an average adult life span of 10 days and a long-life standard R strain with an average adult life span of 50 days. The addition of bacteria to the diet significantly prolonged the fly longevity in both strains and affected the structure and histochemical reactivity of the fat body. The increased survival was characterized by great amount of glycogen accumulated in fat body cells from both strains. In aged control animals, fed with standard diet, lipid droplets were seen to be stored in fat body of short-lived, but not long-lived, flies. On the whole, our data indicate that exogenous bacteria are able to extend the survival of Drosophila females, and suggest that such a beneficial effect can be mediated, at least in part, by the fat body cells that likely play a role in modulating the accumulation and mobilization of reserve stores to ensure lifelong energy homeostasis.
Highlights
Studies performed in worms, flies and humans suggest an important role of gut microbiota in aging and longevity (Ottaviani et al 2011)
We have examined the addition of Escherichia coli to the diet at day 0 of adult life of females from two Oregon R Drosophila melanogaster strains, selected for different longevities: a short-life with an average adult life span of 10 days and a long-life standard R strain with an average adult life span of 50 days
In the present paper we studied the effect of exogenous bacteria, Escherichia coli, on the lifespan of two strains of Drosophila melanogaster in relation to the possible morphological and histochemical modifications in fat body
Summary
Flies and humans suggest an important role of gut microbiota in aging and longevity (Ottaviani et al 2011). The gut microbial diversity includes beneficial symbionts, non-symbionts, food-borne microbes and life threatening pathogens, affects gut structure and nature of gut lining and is related to environment exposure (diet, season, pH, redox conditions) (Breznak and Panratz 1977; Bignell 1984; Lee 1980, 1985; Campbell and Bernays 1990; Dillon and Dillon 2004). A role in supporting insect growth and development has been reported and studies performed in different insect species revealed that exogenous bacteria can increase longevity (Brummel et al 2004; Behar et al 2008)
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