X-Message-Number: 8358
Date: Wed, 2 Jul 1997 23:50:47 -0700 (PDT)
From: Doug Skrecky <>
Subject: 11'th update on fly longevity experiments (fwd)
This is the eleventh update on my fly experiments. The most recent
results are as follows:
Third Run Survival
Supplement DAY 17 DAY 36
Control 64% 14%
Activated charcoal 87 31
Amchoor 73 42
Angelica 56 18
Anise 45 43
Bay 69 0
Beet 62 0
Betaine HCL 82 27
Carrot 40 0
Celery seed 90 0
Citrus bioflavonoids 65 5
Comfrey 88 0
Dill seed 82 0
Green pea 76 8
Hydroxycitric acid 47 0
Kelp 64 7
Malt 83 34
Melatonin 54 31
Melatonin 2X 70 29
Melatonin 4X 65 6
Nicotinamide 6X 28 0
Paprika 69 43
Para-aminobenzoic acid 82 17
Purple yam 92 58
Rosehip 88 6
Sage 66 19
Sage 2X 67 0
Sage 4X 94 0
Silica 88 7
Spinach 40 20
Tumerin 84 0
Currently the highest survival is in the bottle containing purple
yam(58%), followed by a tie for second between paprika(43%) & anise(43%),
followed by amchoor(42%), malt(34%), and then melatonin(31%) & activated
charcoal(31%).
The control bottle has a low survival of just 14%. Possibly the higher
seasonal temperatures in my apartment have reduced control survival. By
comparison control survival was 25% on the day 42 census of the second
run. In addition to accelerating the aging process in flies higher
temperatures also may encourage bacteria growth in the 4-24 medium I use.
Since I am not changing the medium at all pathogens are lifely a major
limiting factor in the survivals of my flies. Starting with the fourth
run I will be taking some further action against this.
The dose does make the poison. Although a low dosage of bactericidal
sage increases survival, higher dosages are quite toxic, possibly because
of thujone poisoning. Melatonin was something of a disappointment.
Although a low dosage increased fly life span, the highest dosage was
toxic for reasons unknown. The results for tumerin, which is problably
the most powerful DNA protectant in existance were very disappointing.
Activated carbon has extended the remaining life span of old rodents by
an impressive 47.3%. (Experimental Gerontology 19: 217-225 1984) It seems
to be helpful for flies as well.
The day 17 results for anise are in some doubt. Although the day 36
total fly count for most bottles was quite close to that of the day 17
count, one major exception was for anise. On day 17 I tabulated 11 flies,
while on day 36 this was increased to 21! There is no evidence of
reproduction in either this or any other bottle used in the third run,
due to the presence of the taurine larvicide I mix in the medium. The
bottle is completely sealed with cardboard so nothing can get in or out.
My best guess is that I somehow had a brain aneurism while writing down
the live count as 5, instead of 15 on day 17. In any case the day 36
survival of 43% (9 alive & 12 dead) still stands.
The high survivals of purple yam(58%), paprika(43%), anise(43%) and
amchoor(42%) are all very intriguing. I have no idea why these
supplements seem to be helpful. To be frank I am not completely convinced
any of them really are helpful since these results could still be by
chance. These supplements will have to further prove themselves by
consistently increasing survival in several experiments before I short
list them as longevity extenders for flies. However if anyone has any
information about purple yam in particular I would be most grateful to
hear from you. A medline search using the terms "purple yam" was
negative.
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