Insulin prolongs lifespan and preserves neuronal function under hyperglycemic conditions in C. elegans

Aims: In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), the insulin receptor and insulin signal transduction system is highly homologous to the human system and is involved in antioxidative defense and determination of lifespan. Hyperglycemic culture conditions lead to neuronal dysfunction and reduction of lifespan in C. elegans. Aim of this study was to investigate the effects of normal human insulin (Actrapid®) on hyperglycemia-induced neuronal and muscular dysfunction and on lifespan. Methods: The wild type C. elegans strain N2 was cultivated using standard conditions without glucose and using hyperglycemi…