Authors
Kitani K. Kanai S. Ivy GO. Carrillo MC.
Institution
National Institute for Longevity Sciences, Aichi, Japan. kitani@nils.go.jp
Title
Assessing the effects of deprenyl on longevity and
antioxidant defenses in different animal models. [Review] [36 refs]
Source
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 854:291-306, 1998 Nov 20.
Abstract
Among many pharmaceuticals that have been tested for their effects on
longevities of different animal rodents, deprenyl is unique
in that its effects on longevity has been tested in at least four different
animal species by independent research groups and that the effect has been
postulated to be due to its effect of raising such antioxidant enzyme
activities as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in selective
brain regions. Thus far, in all four species of animals examined (rats, mice,
hamsters, and dogs), a positive effect was demonstrated, although the extent
of its effect is quite variable. Our group has examined the effect on
longevities in rats and mice and on antioxidant enzymes in rats, mice, and
dogs. Although in rats of both sexes, we have obtained positive effects on
longevity, two studies with different doses in mice did not reveal a
significantly positive effect. We have observed, however, significantly
positive effects on SOD (in Cu, Zn-, and Mn-) as well as CAT (but not
glutathione peroxidase) activities in the brain dopaminergic system such as
in the S. nigra and striatum (but not in hippocampus) in all rats, mice, and
dogs, although the effects were quite variable, depending on the doses used.
In mice, however, a long-term administration (3x/w, 3 months) caused a
remarkable decrease in the magnitude of activity as well as a narrowing of
the effective dose range, which may explain a relatively weak effect of the
drug on mouse longevity. Further, a recent study on aging beagle dogs by
Ruehl et al. showed a remarkable effect on longevity, which agrees with our
SOD study in dogs. Although deprenyl has been claimed to
have several other effects, such as a radical scavenging effect and a
neuroprotective effect, past reports on its effects on longevities and
antioxidant defenses are compatible with the notion that the drug prolongs
the life span of animals by reducing the oxidative damage to the brain
dopaminergic system during aging. Further, our studies on F-344 rats as well
as a dog study by Ruehl et al. suggest that the drug may at least partially
prolong the life span of animals by enhancing immune system function and
preventing tumor development in animals. [References: 36]