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Lack of an effect of vitamin E on lifespan of mice

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Abstract

It has been speculated that ageing results from accumulation ofdamage to macromolecules, particularly DNA, owing to the actionof oxidising free radicals. This possibility would predict thatadministration of anti-oxidants might prolong lifespan, butprevious data on this prediction are conflicting. Three groups ofmice were exposed throughout life, from the time of conceptionuntil death, to 20, 40 and 400 mg/Kg of vitamin E in the diet. Noeffect on lifespan was observed and the median lifespans in thethree groups were 804, 830 and 801 days, respectively. The designof the study also enabled an effect of parental age on lifespanof female progeny to be sought, but no effect was detected.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Haematology and Genetic Pathology, Flinders University of SA and Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042, Australia

    Alexander A. Morley & Kevin J. Trainor

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  1. Alexander A. Morley
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  2. Kevin J. Trainor
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Morley, A.A., Trainor, K.J. Lack of an effect of vitamin E on lifespan of mice. Biogerontology 2, 109–112 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011589218219

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