Drosophila melanogaster larvae fed by glucose and fructose demonstrate difference in oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzymes of adult flies

Activities of antioxidant and associated enzymes, and oxidative stress markers were assessed in newly enclosed adult fruit flies Drosophila melanogaster developed on diets with 4 and 10% glucose or fructose. In fly males, 10% fructose promoted higher content of protein carbonyls and catalase activity, but lower superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity than 4%, while in females—lower levels of high molecular mass thiols (H-SH). Females at all diets had virtually the same level of lipid peroxides, low-molecular-mass thiols, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities. Fed with 4% fructose and glucose males demonstrated 24 and 26% lower H-SH level than females, respectively. On diets with 4% glucose, 10% glucose and fructose females had 32, 26 and 27% lower catalase activity than respective males, and 1.3–1.5-fold lower glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity on glucose-containing diets. Strong positive correlations between H-SH level and G6PD activity, as well as between catalase and G6PDH activity were found. These results suggest that type and concentration of dietary carbohydrate affect antioxidant defense in fruit flies. It also substantially depends on fly sex, comprising presumably levels of protein carbonyls and lipid peroxides, as well as catalase and SOD activities in males and G6PDH activity in females.