Effect of Vitamin A on longevity

SKN‐1/NRF2 upregulation by vitamin A is conserved from nematodes to mammals and is critical for lifespan extension in Caenorhabditis elegans

“…Our data thus confirm the VA‐mediated lifespan extension in invertebrates, which has been previously reported by Massie et al. on D. melanogaster (Massie et al., 1993 ). Notably, despite the overall downward slope of children mortality attributable to VA deficiency‐associated pathological conditions (Figure S1a ), its close‐to‐horizontal projection in Sub‐Saharan Africa and South Asia is alarming, to say the least, as also indicated elsewhere (Stevens et al., 2015 ).…”

“…In this study, we (i) identify the lifespan-promoting effect of VA in C. elegans, (ii) demonstrate that this micronutrient enhances heat stress and oxidative stress resistance, and (iii) prove that the antioxidative SKN-1 pathway is critical for longevity promotion by VA in C. elegans. Moreover, (iv) VA-dependent upregulation of the SKN-1 ortholog NRF2 in human cells accompanied by downregulation of pro-inflammatory and senescence-associated genes suggests an evolutionary conservation of VA-mediated protection from nematodes and insects (Massie et al, 1993) in age-related functional decline of adaptive immune system, ultimately slowing down the aging process (Freund et al, 2010;Liu et al, 2019). These data might be further supported by reciprocal changes in liver expression levels of NRF2 and p21 in mice fed with VA-deficient diet.…”

“…In this study, we (i) identify the lifespan‐promoting effect of VA in C. elegans , (ii) demonstrate that this micronutrient enhances heat stress and oxidative stress resistance, and (iii) prove that the antioxidative SKN‐1 pathway is critical for longevity promotion by VA in C. elegans . Moreover, (iv) VA‐dependent upregulation of the SKN‐1 ortholog NRF2 in human cells accompanied by downregulation of pro‐inflammatory and senescence‐associated genes suggests an evolutionary conservation of VA‐mediated protection from nematodes and insects (Massie et al., 1993 ) to mammals. Indeed, VA‐mediated reduction in pro‐inflammatory SASP factors could lead to a decrease in immune cell infiltration (Finkin et al., 2015 ; Shaw et al., 2013 ; Singh et al., 2008 ) and a slowdown in age‐related functional decline of adaptive immune system, ultimately slowing down the aging process (Freund et al., 2010 ; Liu et al., 2019 ).…”

“…Indeed, children who suffer from VA deficiency are susceptible to infectious diseases (Chen et al., 2009 ; Qi et al., 2016 ), diarrhea (Ahmed et al., 2000 ; Imdad et al., 2010 ), and measles (D'Souza & D'Souza, 2002 ), which can lead to premature death (Mayo‐Wilson et al., 2011 ). Supplementation of developing Drosophila melanogaster with increased dietary retinyl palmitate or retinal forms of VA promotes longevity by 17.5% (Massie et al., 1993 ). Mechanistically, the authors found that VA prevented the superoxide radical‐induced peroxidation of linolenic acid and reduction in cytochrome C. However, the precise mechanism of such protection and the specific pathways involved remain unexplored.…”

Melatonin as a geroprotector: Experiments withDrosophila melanogaster

“…A probable mechanism of this phenomenon has been discussed previously [10]. Similar effects are exhibited by 3-hydroxypyridine [10], vitamins A and E [2,9], and 4-hydroxy-tempo [5].…”