Effect of physical activity on superoxide dismutase, catalase, inorganic peroxides and glutathione in the adult male housefly, Musca domestica.

Average and maximum life spans of the adult male housefly are considerably prolonged by the elimination of flying activity. The objective of this study was to elucidate further the biochemical basis of this phenomenon. Activities of the enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase, and the concentrations of inorganic peroxides and glutathione were compared between houseflies kept under conditions of relatively high and low levels of physical activity at different ages. The activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were not appreciably affected by the level of physical activity whereas the concentrations of inorganic peroxides and glutathione were higher in flies undergoing relatively high level of physical activity. These results are interpreted to support the concept that by-products of oxygen metabolism may play a causal role in the aging process.