Rasagiline is neuroprotective in an experimental model of brain ischemia in the rat

Abstract

The neuroprotective effects of intravenous rasagiline were investigated in a rat model of stroke. Middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion was performed in male rats and the short- (neurological severity score [NSS], infarct size), intermediate- (cognition) and long-term (necrotic area) effects were assessed. A bolus (3 mg/kg) of rasagiline followed by a 3-h infusion (3 mg/kg/h), initiated immediately after MCA occlusion, reduced infarct size by 48.6% and NSS by 32.7% relative to saline treatment. Cognitive function, tested in a water maze 2-3 weeks after occlusion, also significantly improved compared with saline-treated controls. Necrotic brain area was 35-50% smaller with rasagiline than with saline following a single bolus dose. The single bolus rasagiline dose was as effective as a rasagiline bolus followed by rasagiline infusion in short-term outcomes. The neuroprotective effect of rasagiline was fully reproducible when administered at 2 h following occlusion but not after 4 h.

Attenuation of Ischemic Stroke-Caused Brain Injury by a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor Involves Improved Proteostasis and Reduced Neuroinflammation

“…Therefore, inhibition of MAOs is a potential therapeutic strategy for ischemic stroke. This neuroprotection is in accordance with some of previously reported results, in which a beneficial effect of an irreversible inhibitor of MAO-B [25,26] and a reversible inhibitor of MAO-A [27], were observed in rodent experimental models of ischemic stroke.…”

Rasagiline Ameliorates Olfactory Deficits in an Alpha-Synuclein Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease

“…The rasagiline dose used (3 mg/kg) has previously been found to be efficacious in models of cerebral ischemia [37], vitamin deficiency [38] and PD [16]. We chose a long-term treatment (4–8 weeks) because we were not only interested in the MAO-B inhibitory activity of rasagiline [39], but also in its potential neuroprotective effects [16], [40].…”

The role of rasagiline in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease

“…Rasagiline administration was protective against immediate sequelae of closed head injury in the mouse 45. Treatment with rasagiline in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion reduced infarct size volume, improved cognitive performance and reduced necrotic brain area 46. In a familial mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis rasagiline, in combination with riluzole, increased survival time by approximately 20% 47…”