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Protoporphyirin-IX (PP-IX) is a precursor of the biosynthesis of the hemo group, most of the cytochromes and the chlorophylls. The PP-IX is used for medical purposes, and recently a report indicated that it exhibits a dual action since it can decrease or increase the genetic damage caused by N-nitroso-N-ethylurea (ENU) in somatic cells of Drosophila. PP-IX is known to be able to act as an anti-or pro-oxidant agent. The aim of the present research was to study the role of PP-IX on the lifespan of Drosophila melanogaster, taking into account the fact that increasing levels of ROS can accelerate the aging process. The Canton-S strain (CS) was used as well as Sod and Cat which are deficient in the endogenous enzymes, superoxide dismutase and catalase, respectively. Groups of females and males were treated separately with 5 mg/ml of PP-IX solution. The comparison of survival curves indicates that this pigment extended the lifespan of CS. In contrast, Sod strain showed that the opposite effect and had no effect in Cat strain. The fact that PP-IX reduces the mean lifespan in Sod deficient strain might suggest a pro-oxidant action of PP-IX, and consequently the cumulating of ROS as a superoxide could have a mutagenic effect as was shown recently. The results presented evidence of the dual effect of PP-IX.

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