Relationship between lifespan and somatic mutation in D. melanogaster after treatment with chlorophyllin

Abstract

Sodium copper chlorophyllin (SCC) has a genetic damage inhibitory capacity due to its antioxidant action. For this reason, it was considered to investigate its role in the life span of Drosophila melanogaster and its relationship with the frequency of somatic mutation induced by gamma rays. Results indicated that SCC alone prolonged the lifespan only in females, but in combination with 20 Gy of gamma rays, the aging delay in both sexes was significant. In addition to confirming that the porphyrin reduces the frequency of mutation, the individuals with the highest mutation load are the individuals who die more quickly, and once they are eliminated, the survivor individuals treated with 20 Gy or with SCC + 20 Gy, died at the same rate. The results together indicate that SCC not only inhibits induced genetic damage, but it also has beneficial effects that probably cause an aging delay of the treated population that need to be investigated.

Keywords: Chlorophyllin; Drosophila; Gamma rays; Lifespan; Somatic mutation.