Effect of Long-Term Treatment with C₆₀ Fullerenes on the Lifespan and Health Status of CBA/Ca Mice

Several studies claimed C₆₀ fullerenes as a prospective geroprotector drug due to their ability to capture free radicals effectively and caused a profound interest in C₆₀ in life extension communities. Multiple additives are already sold for human consumption despite a small body of evidence supporting the beneficial effects of fullerenes on the lifespan. To test the effect of C₆₀ fullerenes on lifespan and healthspan, we administered C₆₀ fullerenes dissolved in virgin olive oil orally to 10-12 months old CBA/Ca mice of both genders for 7 months and assessed their survival. To uncover C₆₀ and virgin olive effects, we established two control groups: mice treated with virgin olive oil (vehicle) and mice treated with drinking water. To measure healthspan, we conducted daily monitoring of health condition and lethality and monthly bodyweight measurements. We also assessed physical activity, glucose metabolism, and hematological parameters every 3 months. We did not observe health deterioration in the animals treated with C₆₀ compared with the control groups. Treatment of mice with C₆₀ fullerenes resulted in an increased lifespan of males and females compared with the olive oil-treated animals. The lifespan of C₆₀-treated mice was similar to the mice treated with water. These results suggest that the lifespan-extending effect in C₆₀-treated mice appears due to the protective effect of fullerenes in opposition to the negative effect of olive oil in CBA/Ca mice.