In a collaborative effort, scientists have for the first time successfully increased normal life span in the nematode worm C. elegans through the use of drugs that augment the organism's natural antioxidant systems. The experiments involved groups of adult nematodes that were either untreated or treated with synthetic catalytic scavengers, or SCSs. These drugs are synthetic versions of superoxide dismutase and catalase, naturally occurring enzymes involved in the control of oxidative stress. Furthermore, in a mutant nematode strain with a shortened life span linked to oxidative stress, an early death was prevented and life span normalized through treatment with the drugs.
Results suggest that endogenous oxidative stress is a major determinant of the rate of aging.
Nematodes have been used for many years to study biological processes relevant to other species including humans. Further studies on higher organisms in the near future will allow us to answer whether or not we have to reconsider aging as an inevitability. To date, they have been successfully used in models of neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. This work on nematode life span further strengthens our belief that SCSs have tremendous potential as therapeutics. Our priority now is to move these compounds toward clinical trials.