(-)-Deprenyl can induce soluble superoxide dismutase in rat striata.

(-)-Deprenyl (0.25 or 2 mg/kg) or saline was injected daily into male Wistar rats for 3 weeks. The striata were dissected out and soluble and particulate superoxide dismutase activity measured. (-)-Deprenyl at 2 mg/kg induced a significant increase in the soluble but not the particulate form of the enzyme. The possibility that this action contributes to the ability of (-)-deprenyl to retard nigral degeneration in man and prolong life in rats is discussed.