Glucose extends lifespan through enhanced intestinal barrier integrity in Drosophila

Dietary intervention has received considerable attention as an approach to extend lifespan and improve aging. However, questions remain regarding optimal dietary regime and underlying mechanism of lifespan extension. Here, we asked how glucose-enriched food extends the lifespan of Drosophila. We showed that glucose-dependent lifespan extension is independent of caloric restriction, or insulin activity, two established mechanisms of lifespan extension. Instead, we found that flies raised on glucose-enriched food increased the expression of cell junction proteins, and extended intestinal barrier integrity with age. Furthermore, chemical disruption of the intestinal barrier removed the lifespan extension associated with glucose-treatment, suggesting that glucose-enriched food prolongs adult viability by enhancing the intestinal barrier. We believe our data contribute to our understanding of intestinal health and may help efforts to develop preventative measures to limit the effects of aging and disease.