Prenatal hyperbaric normoxia treatment improves healthspan and regulates chitin metabolic genes in Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

Aging is a universal, irreversible process accompanied by physiological declines that culminate in death. Rapid progress in gerontology research has revealed that aging can be slowed through mild stress-induced hormesis. We previously reported that hyperbaric normoxia (HN, 2 atm absolute pressure with 10% O2) induces a cytoprotective response in vitro by regulating fibronectin. In the present study, we investigated the hormetic effects of prenatal HN exposure on Drosophila healthspan related to molecular defense mechanisms. HN exposure had no disruptive effect on developmental rate or adult body weight. However, lifespan was clearly enhanced, as was resistance to oxidative and heat stress. In addition, levels of reactive oxygen species were significantly decreased and motor performance was increased. HN stress has been shown to trigger molecular changes in the heat shock response and ROS scavenging system, including hsp70, catalase, glutathione synthase, and MnSOD. Furthermore, to determine the hormetic mechanism underlying these phenotypic and molecular changes, we performed a genome-wide profiling in HN-exposed and control flies. Genes encoding chitin metabolism were highly up-regulated, which could possibly serve to scavenge free radicals. These results identify prenatal HN exposure as a potential hormetic factor that may improve longevity and healthspan by enhancing defense mechanisms in Drosophila.

Gestational oxidative stress protects against adult obesity and insulin resistance

“…In our model, increased intrauterine ROS exposure appears to condition metabolic networks towards an improved response to an increasing oxidative and nutritional burden associated with the Western diet in adulthood. While we are not aware of comparable studies in a mammalian system, work in Drosophila indicated that increased oxidative stress due to hyperbaric pressure in early development resulted in increased resistance to oxidative stress in adult flies and an extended lifespan [24]. Hyperbaric oxygen chambers are in use as treatment for severe IUGR due to placental insufficiency [25].…”

Mutations in theDrosophilasplicing regulatorPrp31as a model for Retinitis pigmentosa 11

“…Genes from this category were shown to be highly up-regulated in flies exposed to mild stress by increased atmospheric pressure (hyperbaric normoxia) (Yu et al, 2016). This stress has been suggested to induce cytoprotective responses, aimed to protect cells or organisms against the detrimental effects of stressors, such as senescence (Oh et al, 2008).…”