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The pharmacological profile of (-)deprenyl
(selegiline) and its relevance for humans: a personal view.
Knoll J.
Department of Pharmacology,
Semmelweis University of Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.
Pharmacol Toxicol 1992 May;70(5 Pt 1):317-21
ABSTRACT
Deprenyl (selegiline, jumex, eldepryl,
movergan) which is closely related to phenylethylamine (PEA) is a drug with
a unique pharmacological spectrum. Single dose effects: (a) It is a
highly potent and selective inhibitor of B-type monoamine oxidase (MAO). (b)
In contrast to other MAO inhibitors it inhibits the noradrenaline releasing
effect of tyramine, is therefore free of the 'cheese effect'. Multiple dose
effects unrelated to MAO inhibition: (a) It enhances superoxide dismutase
and catalase activity in the striatum. (b) It facilitates the activity of
the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurones. (c) It prevents age-related
morphological changes in the neurocytes of the substantia nigra.
Consequences of multiple dose effects: Compared to salt solution-treated
rats, male rats maintained on (-)deprenyl loose their capacity to ejaculate
later on; retain for longer their learning ability; and live longer.
Freshly diagnosed Parkinson's patients maintained on (-)deprenyl, required
levodopa later than their placebo-treated peers. Patients treated with
levodopa plus (-)deprenyl live longer than those on levodopa alone. Chronic
treatment with (-)deprenyl improves the performance of patients with
Alzheimer's disease.
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