Deprenyl and pergolide rescue spinal motor neurons from axotomy-induced neuronal death in the neonatal rat.

It has been reported that both the monoamine oxidase inhibitor, deprenyl and the dopamine receptor agonist, pergolide have neuroprotective actions. To investigate the effect of deprenyl and pergolide on axotomized motor neuron death, we examined the survival of spinal motor neurons after sciatic nerve transection in the neonatal rats. Newborn rats were anesthetized with hypothermia. Sciatic nerve was cut near the obturator tendon in the left thigh. Animals were then treated daily with deprenyl (10 mg kg(-1)), pergolide (5 mg kg(-1)), or PBS for 14 days with intraperitoneal injections in a blind fashion. After the treatment, the number of spinal motor neurons in the L 4-6 was counted. There was approximately a 50% loss of spinal motor neurons in PBS-treated group. By contrast, both deprenyl and pergolide prevents spinal motor neuron death after axotomy Co-administration of deprenyl and pergolide is more effective than either agent alone but not significant. These findings are consistent with the idea that deprenyl and pergolide are survival factors for developing spinal motor neurons.