Some Stress in Early life Extends Lifespan
WASHINGTON (Dispatches) -- Some stress at a young age could actually lead to a longer life, new research in roundworms shows.
University of Michigan researchers have discovered that oxidative stress experienced early in life increases subsequent stress resistance later in life.
Oxidative stress happens when cells produce more oxidants and free radicals than they can deal with. It’s part of the aging process, but can also arise from stressful conditions such as exercise and calorie restriction.
Examining a type of roundworm called Caenorhabditis elegans, U-M scientists Ursula Jakob and Daphne Bazopoulou found that worms that produced more oxidants during development lived longer than worms that produced fewer oxidants. Their results are published in the journal Nature.
When the researchers exposed the whole population of juvenile worms to external ROS (Reactive oxygen species) during development, the average lifespan of the entire population increased. Though the researchers don’t know yet what triggers the oxidative stress event during development, they were able to determine what processes enhanced the lifespan of these worms.
University of Michigan researchers have discovered that oxidative stress experienced early in life increases subsequent stress resistance later in life.
Oxidative stress happens when cells produce more oxidants and free radicals than they can deal with. It’s part of the aging process, but can also arise from stressful conditions such as exercise and calorie restriction.
Examining a type of roundworm called Caenorhabditis elegans, U-M scientists Ursula Jakob and Daphne Bazopoulou found that worms that produced more oxidants during development lived longer than worms that produced fewer oxidants. Their results are published in the journal Nature.
When the researchers exposed the whole population of juvenile worms to external ROS (Reactive oxygen species) during development, the average lifespan of the entire population increased. Though the researchers don’t know yet what triggers the oxidative stress event during development, they were able to determine what processes enhanced the lifespan of these worms.