Objective To explore the effects of different concentrations of vitamin E on the sensitivity of fruit fly larvae after gamma-ray irradiation.

Methods Different concentrations(100, 500, 1000, and 1500 mg/L) of vitamin E were used to treat W1118 fruit fly larvae, and ¹³⁷Cs gamma-ray irradiation of 50 Gy was utilized. The pupation and eclosion rates, mortality rate after eclosion for 48 h, catalase activity(CAT), and glutathione(GSH) content of fruit fly larvae were measured, and the antioxidant capacity and oxidative damage status were analyzed. LSD t-test was used to compare groups.

Results The pupation rate, emergence rate, climbing ability, CAT activity, and GSH content of fruit fly larvae in the vitamin E(1000 mg/L and 1500 mg/L) group were significantly higher than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant(t=2.864–16.462, all P<0.05). In comparison with the non-irradiated control group, the mortality rate of fruit fly larvae in the vitamin E group with concentrations of 1000 mg/L and 1500 mg/L significantly decreased from(54.0±5.0)% to(36.1±7.6)% and(37.5±5.8)%, respectively, within 48 h of emergence to adult(t=3.386, P=0.028; t=3.718, P=0.021).

Conclusion Vitamin E can slow down the oxidative damage of Drosophila melanogaster larvae after irradiation by reducing oxidative stress, as well as improve the radiation resistance of Drosophila melanogaster.