Monoamine oxidase inhibition by l-deprenyl depends on both sex and route of administration in the rat

The monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitor l-deprenyl, widely used to treat Parkinson's disease, has frequently been studied in animal models. We have examined the effects of several variables on activity levels of MAO-A and B in rat brain and liver following chronic (3 wks) treatment with l-deprenyl. Significant effects were observed for sex (females showed lower overall MAO-B activity in the liver), dose (MAO-A and B inhibition increased with dose, with females exhibiting greater sensitivity), route of administration (subcutaneous injection was more efficient than oral dosing), and dosing interval (MAO-B was significantly inhibited when dosing interval was increased to as long as 168 hours). Our results thus indicate that the effectiveness of l-deprenyl in vivo is dependent on several factors and that these must be taken into account in studies involving the benefits or risks of this drug.