Prematurely aging female mice improve their behavioural response, immunity, redox state, and lifespan after a short social interaction with non‑prematurely aging mice

Abstract

Adult prematurely aging mice (PAM), characterized by inadequate stress response, show premature immunosenescence and shorter lifespan compared to adult exceptional non-PAM (E-NPAM). Aging can be influenced by lifestyle factors, such as social environment. The continuous cohabitation of female PAM with E-NPAM improved behavioral responses, immunity, redox state, and longevity of PAM, but caused deterioration in E-NPAM. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the social interaction of only 15 min/day for 2 months of PAM with E-NPAM, can produce that improvement in PAM without causing deterioration in E-NPAM. After that short social interaction PAM and E-NPAM were submitted to behavioral tests and peritoneal leukocytes were collected to assess immune functions, oxidative and inflammatory state parameters as well as catecholamine concentrations. The lifespan of each animal was recorded. Plasmatic concentration of oxytocin was also studied. Results showed that PAM presented better behavioral responses, immunity and oxi-inflammatory state after interacting with E-NPAM, and consequently a longer lifespan. E-NPAM, in general, did not show any changes after interaction with PAM, not affecting their longevity either. In conclusion, a short social interaction between PAM and E-NPAM could be an excellent strategy for improving the health state and longevity of PAM without causing deleterious effect on E-NPAM.