Protection by Selegiline against Peroxynitrite- and Nitric-Oxide-Induced Apoptosis

PROTECTION BY SELEGILINE AGAINST PEROXYNITRITE- AND NITRIC-OXIDE-INDUCED APOPTOSIS 

The neuroprotection of SH-SY54 cells from apoptosis caused by NOR-4 and SIN-1 is not related to inhibition of MAO-B, because SH-SY54 contains only MAO-A. Selegiline is able to protect dopaminergic neurons from the toxicity of MPTP and also of MPP an oxidized product of MPTP by MAO-B. This indicates that the neuroprotection by selegiline does not require blockage of the conversion of MPTP to MPP+. 

Selegiline reduces neuronal death even after neurons have sustained seemingly lethal damage at concentrations too small to inhibit MAO-B and the rescuing action is related to antiapoptotic action of selegiline. 

STIMULATION BY SELEGILINE OF BIOSYNTHESIS OF CYTOKINES INTERLEUKIN-1p AND INTERLEUKIN-6 

Cytokines are a heterogenous group of polypeptide mediators that have been associated with activation of numerous functions, including the immune system and inflammatory responses. The cytokine families include, but are not limited to, interleukins, chemokines, tumor necrosis factors, interferons (INF-a, -0, and -y), colony-stimulating factors, growth factors, neuropoietins, and neurotrophins (see Table 13.4). 

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