Is brain superoxide dismutase activity increased following chronic treatment with 1-deprenyl?

L-deprenyl, a specific MAO-B inhibitor, has been proposed to possess a neuroprotective effect. The mechanism of such an effect is unclear. L-Deprenyl has been found to increase rat striatal superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, which inactivates singlet oxygen. It would be very interesting to know how such activation occurs and whether or not other MAO inhibitors also have such an effect. We have analyzed rat striatal SOD activity using a very sensitive nitrite method and an immunological procedure. The effect of different doses and time of treatment with 1-deprenyl and M-2-PP (2-pentyl-N-methyl-propargylamine), a new highly potent, selective and non-amphetamine-like MAO-B inhibitor, on the rat brain has been investigated. We were unable to detect any increase of SOD activity in the rat striata and cerebral cortex nor any increase in the concentration of immunoreactive SOD antibody in the cortex following chronic treatment with 1-deprenyl and M-2-PP. It remains to be substantiated as to whether or not 1-deprenyl can enhance SOD levels.