L-DEPRENYL - NITRIC-OXIDE PRODUCTION AND DILATION OF CEREBRAL BLOOD-VESSELS

THE monoamine oxidase-E inhibitor L-deprenyl (Selegiline) is effective in treating Parkinson's disease and possibly Alzheimer's disease. The neuroprotective property of L-deprenyl may be unrelated to the inhibi tion of monoamine oxidase-B. Since nitric oxide (NO) modulates activit ies including cerebral blood flow and memory, we examined the effect o f L-deprenyl on NO. L-Deprenyl induced rapid increases in NO productio n in brain tissue and cerebral vessels. Vasodilation was produced by e ndothelial NO-dependent as well as NO-independent mechanisms in cerebr al vessels. The drug also protected the vascular endothelium from the toxic effects of amyloid-P peptide. These novel actions of selegiline may protect neurons from ischemic or oxidative damage and suggest new therapeutic applications for L-deprenyl in vascular and neurodegenerat ive diseases. (C) 1998 Rapid Science Ltd.