X-Message-Number: 26733
Date: Fri, 29 Jul 2005 18:09:11 -0700 (PDT)
From: Doug Skrecky <>
Subject: 184'th update on fly longevity experiments

     This is the 184'th update of my fly longevity experiments. Average
 temperature was 22.9 C during this run. Estimated maximal longevity (EML)
 using the formula (363 - T*11.2) is 107 days.
     This run checks out beta-hydroxy beta-methyl butyrate (HMB), and
 metformin. HMB is a muscle building agent, which may have some utility in
 the treatment of human sarcopenia. In contrast to mammals with increased
 age, flies suffer from motor neuron degeneration, rather than muscle
 atropy. Metformin is a prescription anti-diabetic drug, with some
 homologies with caloric restriction in mammals. In contrast caloric
 restriction appears to offer no significant benefit to flies. Thanks to
 B.R. for the gift of metformin.
     Neither HMB nor metformin offered any benefit. However at just 63
 days maximum survival does not compare well with the EML of 107 days. In
 the past I have noticed that my own experiments tend to closely approach
 EML during the winter months, but tend to be more variable during the
 summer when a significant deficit with respect to EML is common. The
 causal factors behind this are under investigation.

 Run #182              Percent Survival on Day
 supplement           8 16 26 34 40 47 55 63 73
 ______________________________________________
 control one         96 92 77 65 50 35 15  8  0
 control two         97 91 68 62 47 27  6  0  -
 HMB   47 mg        100 87 57 57 44 26 13  0  -
  "   188 mg         94 88 63 63 38 13  0  -  -
  "   750 mg         96 69 54 46 35 15  8  4  0
 metformin 1/32 gm   92 76 60 56 28 12  0  -  -
  "        1/16 gm  100 89 63 63 47 26 11  5  0
  "        1/8 gm   100 75 63 54 38  8  0  -  -
  "        1/4 gm    90 74 47 42 32 21  0  -  -
  "        1/2 gm    88 53 47 47 41 18 12 12  0

Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=26733