Short lifespan under dietary cholesterol depletion is associated with gut dysfunction in Drosophila melanogaster females

Brooke Zanco; Christen K. Mirth; Carla M. Sgrò; Matthew D. W. Piper

doi:10.1038/s41514-026-00341-5

Short lifespan under dietary cholesterol depletion is associated with gut dysfunction in Drosophila melanogaster females

Brooke Zanco^*, Christen K. Mirth, Carla M. Sgrò, Matthew D. W. Piper

^*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

Dietary restriction may extend lifespan by improving late-life gut health. Because micronutrients mediate the effects of macronutrient ratios on longevity, we examined how cholesterol limitation affects gut health in female Drosophila melanogaster. Low-cholesterol diets increased intestinal permeability and reduced lifespan, however, not all flies lost barrier function before dying. This indicates gut dysfunction is either a marker of ageing, or contributes to death, but predominantly during dietary cholesterol limitation.

Original language	English
Article number	46
Pages (from-to)	1-4
Number of pages	4
Journal	npj Aging
Volume	12
Issue number	1
Early online date	19 Feb 2026
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41514-026-00341-5
Publication status	Published - 27 Mar 2026
Externally published	Yes

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Copyright the Author(s) 2026. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

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abstract = "Dietary restriction may extend lifespan by improving late-life gut health. Because micronutrients mediate the effects of macronutrient ratios on longevity, we examined how cholesterol limitation affects gut health in female Drosophila melanogaster. Low-cholesterol diets increased intestinal permeability and reduced lifespan, however, not all flies lost barrier function before dying. This indicates gut dysfunction is either a marker of ageing, or contributes to death, but predominantly during dietary cholesterol limitation.",

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AU - Sgrò, Carla M.

AU - Piper, Matthew D. W.

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Short lifespan under dietary cholesterol depletion is associated with gut dysfunction in Drosophila melanogaster females

Abstract

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