X-Message-Number: 14402 Date: Sat, 2 Sep 2000 11:03:44 -0700 (PDT) From: Doug Skrecky <> Subject: Extension of Life-Span with Superoxide/Catalase Mimetics Science 289(5484): 1567-1569 Sep 1,2000 Abstract: We tested the theory that reactive oxygen species cause aging. we augmented the natural antioxidant systems of Caenorhabditis elegans with small synthetic superoxide dismutase/catalase mimetics. Treatment of wild-type worms increased their mean life-span by a mean of 44 percent, and treatment of prematurely aging worms resulted in normalization of their life-span (a 67 percent increase). It appears that oxidative stress is a major determinant of life-span and that it can be counteracted by pharmacological intervention. Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=14402