AGE-RELATED-CHANGES IN CATALASE, GLUTATHIONE-REDUCTASE ACTIVITIES, THE AMOUNT OF GLUTATHIONE IN TOTAL-BODY OF OREGON AND VESTIGIAL DROSOPHILA-MELANOGASTER

Natural antioxidants, free radical scavengers as catalase, glutathione reductase and glutathione are considered for aging mechanism. The obj ective of our study was to investigate the differences in the life spa n of male Oregon (w.t.) and vestigial Drosophila melanogaster, the pos sible role of free radical scavengers such as catalase, glutathione re ductase and reduced-oxidized glutathione levels in the aging process b y studying the pattern of age-related changes. The life span of male O regon D. melanogaster is longer than that of the vestigial D. melanoga ster. The beginning of the dying phase of Oregon was around 40 days, w hile the vestigial's around 20 days. The maximum life span was 85 days in Oregon population and 56 days in vestigial population. Age-related changes of catalase activities were similar in male Oregon and vestig ial and showed a decreasing curve during aging. Glutathione reductase activity of Oregon increased slightly between 10 and 40 days, decrease d sharply thereafter. Glutathione reductase activity of vestigial foll owed a pot-shaped trend with 60 % decrease during the first 40 days an d followed by a sharp increase during the late part of life. The amoun ts of reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) increa sed slightly up to 40 days of age and followed a sharp decline thereaf ter in male Oregon D. melanogaster. In male vestigial D. melanogaster, the concentrations of GSH and GSSG remained quite stable for the firs t 10 days, followed by a sharp decline around 20th day and increased t hereafter.