Studies with rasagiline, a MAO-B inhibitor,
in experimental focal ischemia in the rat
by
Speiser Z, Mayk A, Eliash S, Cohen S.
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology,
Tel Aviv University, Israel.
J Neural Transm. 1999;106(7-8):593-606

ABSTRACT

Rasagiline, as the mesylate salt (TVP-1012), is a selective, potent, non-reversible MAO-B inhibitor of the propargylamine type. Current cellular and whole animal studies suggested a potential for neuroprotection by rasagiline. Rasagiline in repeat ip doses of 1-3mg/kg within 16h, or by sustained iv infusion to maintain a 3-h steady-state at corresponding levels, improved the outcome of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in the rat. In five independent studies using different protocols, rasagiline improved neurological severity score (NSS) with respect to saline from a high of 8.96 +/- 2.18 (n = 94) at 24h, and 7.64 +/- 2.52 (n +/- 49) at 48h, to a low of 7.13 +/- 2.32 (n = 88) at 24h, and 4.99 +/- 2.31 (n = 68) at 48h. Under the same conditions, there was a decrease in the volume of necrotic brain region determined at 48h by triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC), from a high of 240 +/- 66 (n = 54) to a low of 176 +/- 77 mm(3) (n = 55); and by MRI scan at 48h, from a high of 297 +/- 62 (n = 25), to a low of 209 +/- 63 mm(3) (n = 28). Improvement in NSS was more obvious at 48h post MCAO, at the higher dose, when timing of drug administration was within the interval -30 min to 3 h from MCAO. A 3-h iv infusion of rasagiline caused a maximal reduction in infarct volume of about 49% of control. The (S)enantiomer of rasagiline TVP-1022, not a MAO inhibitor, was less effective, but still significantly different from saline, NSS at 48h 5.6 +/- 2.5 (n = 24) vs. 7.5 +/- 2.5 (n = 24), infarct volume 200 +/- 64 (n = 24) vs. 240 +/- 55 mm(3) (n = 24). Selegiline (n = 19) at corresponding ip doses was not different from saline. Dizocilpine decreased infarct volume from 277 +/- 65 (n = 20) to 203 +/- 52mm(3) (n = 21) but could not improve NSS at 24 or 48h. In this model, rasagiline could have exerted a neuroprotective effect independent of MAO inhibition.

Ischemia
Rasagiline
Neuroprotection
Rasagiline: structure
MAO-b inhibitors/PD
Anti-apoptotic activity
Molecular mechanisms
Rasagiline pharmacology
Induction of pro-survival genes
Rasagiline and the mitochondria
Antioxidant strategies against aging
Anti-Alzheimer/anti-Parkinson's drugs
Rasagiline versus selegiline metabolites
Rasagiline/ anti-apoptotic bcl-2 gene family
Dual AChE and MAO inhibitors and Alzheimer's
Rasagiline v selegiline: neuronal survival effects
Rasagiline (Agilect) in early Parkinson's disease

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