From: gts (gts_2000@yahoo.com)
Date: Thu Feb 13 2003 - 13:32:03 MST
Rafal wrote:
> ### The study provides evidence that rats on selegiline live longer.
Yes it certainly does.
> Whether the same applies to humans, is a matter of conjecture, which
> is why I agree with your use of "may", as in "maybe yes, maybe not".
Yes, and that is why I am careful to use the word "may."
For similar reasons, I think you and I may be mammals similar to these
...rats, hampsters, mice, and dogs...
all of whose lives were extended by selegiline treatment.
(Here is yet *another* abstract about the neuroprotective/life-extending
benefits of selegiline)
ABSTRACT
Assessing the effects of deprenyl on longevity
and antioxidant defenses in different animal models
Kitani K, Kanai S, Ivy GO, Carrillo MC
National Institute for Longevity Sciences,
Aichi, Japan.
Ann N Y Acad Sci 1998 Nov 20; 854:291-306
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.
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