Health and longevity studies in C. elegans: the “healthy worm database” reveals strengths, weaknesses and gaps of test compound-based studies

• Published in: Biogerontology (Dordrecht) Vol. 22; no. 2; pp. 215 - 236
• Main Authors: Saul, Nadine, Möller, Steffen, Cirulli, Francesca, Berry, Alessandra, Luyten, Walter, Fuellen, Georg
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.04.2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aging; Animal models; Animals; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Caenorhabditis elegans; Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; Cell Biology; Cognitive ability; Developmental Biology; Gene expression; Geriatrics/Gerontology; Life Sciences; Longevity; Phenotypes; Quality of Life; Research Article; Database; Aging; Phenotypes; Healthspan; Compounds; C. elegans
• ISSN: 1389-5729; 1573-6768; 1573-6768
• DOI: 10.1007/s10522-021-09913-2

Several biogerontology databases exist that focus on genetic or gene expression data linked to health as well as survival, subsequent to compound treatments or genetic manipulations in animal models. However, none of these has yet collected experimental results of compound-related health changes. Since quality of life is often regarded as more valuable than length of life, we aim to fill this gap with the “Healthy Worm Database” ( http://healthy-worm-database.eu ). Literature describing health-related compound studies in the aging model Caenorhabditis elegans was screened, and data for 440 compounds collected. The database considers 189 publications describing 89 different phenotypes measured in 2995 different conditions. Besides enabling a targeted search for promising compounds for further investigations, this database also offers insights into the research field of studies on healthy aging based on a frequently used model organism. Some weaknesses of C. elegans -based aging studies, like underrepresented phenotypes, especially concerning cognitive functions, as well as the convenience-based use of young worms as the starting point for compound treatment or phenotype measurement are discussed. In conclusion, the database provides an anchor for the search for compounds affecting health, with a link to public databases, and it further highlights some potential shortcomings in current aging research.