The inhibition of monoamine oxidase activity by various antidepressants: differences found in various mammalian species

The effects of the antidepressant drugs zimeldine, imipramine, maprotiline or nomifensine on mitochondrial monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity in mouse, rat, dog and monkey brains were compared in vitro. Mouse, rat, dog and monkey brain MAO-B activities were inhibited by zimeldine more potently than MAO-A activity. Imipramine inhibited MAO-B more potently than MAO-A activity in mouse and rat brains. When dog and monkey brains were investigated, MAO-A activity was inhibited more potently than MAO-B activity at high concentrations of imipramine, while at low concentrations, MAO-B activity was more potently inhibited. Maprotiline and nomifensine inhibited mouse and rat brain MAO-B activity more potently than MAO-A activity, while the inverse was true for dog and monkey brains. All four drugs are competitive inhibitors of MAO-A, but noncompetitive inhibitors of MAO-B in all animal brains. The respective Ki values of these reagents for monkey brain MAO-A and MAO-B were low compared to those of mouse, rat and dog. These results indicate that monkey brain MAOs are more sensitive to antidepressant drugs than those in rodent brain.     

Inhibition by Zn(2+) of A-form monoamine oxidase in monkey brain mitochondria

The effects of ZnSO(4) on mitochondrial monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity in monkey brain were compared with those in rat and rabbit, in vitro. After preincubation at 25 degrees C for 20 min with 1 microM ZnSO(4), MAO-A activity in monkey brain was about 50% using serotonin (5-HT) as a substrate, and the inhibition was proportional to the concentration of ZnSO(4). However, ZnSO(4) had no effect on MAO-B activity in monkey brain using beta-phenylethylamine (beta-PEA) as a substrate. The inhibition by ZnSO(4) of MAO-A activity was competitive and reversible. CdSO(4) also inhibits MAO-A, but not MAO-B in monkey brain mitochondria. ZnSO(4) did not inhibit either MAO-A or MAO-B activity in rat and rabbit brain mitochondria. These results indicate that the inhibiting action of Zn(2+) differs depending on animal species. In monkey brain mitochondria, MAO-A was highly sensitive to Zn(2+) and MAO-B was less sensitive. These results also suggest that Zn(2+) may regulate the level of catecholamine content in monkey brain.     

Zinc benzoate, a contaminating environmental compound derived from polystyrene resin inhibits A-type monoamine oxidase

The contaminants in deionized and distilled water (DDI water) boiled with polystyrene resin inhibited A-type monoamine oxidase (MAO, MAO-A preferentially deaminates serotonin and norepinephrine and regulates these amines concentration) activity in monkey brain mitochondria. To identify these contaminants, we attempted measurements by HPLC, FT-IR and NMR. The compound inhibiting MAO-A activity was zinc benzoate. Although it potently inhibited MAO-A activity, zinc benzoate did not effect MAO-B in monkey brain mitochondria. It also reversibly and competitively inhibited MAO-A activity in a dose-dependent manner. Zinc benzoate, however, did not inhibit either MAO-A or -B activities in rat brain mitochondria. These results indicate that zinc benzoate, which inhibits MAO-A activity, is easily incorporated in DDI water by boiling polystyrene and also may be a contaminating environmental chemical compound that alters the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the central nervous system.     

Effect of lignocaine on monoamine oxidase activity of brain and liver

In vivo administration of a single dose (100-150 mg/kg, i.p.) of lignocaine produces no change in MAO activity, while long-term treatment (50 mg/kg/day for 15 and 30 consecutive days, i.p.) produces a slight but appreciable inhibition of MAO activity with tyramine or serotonin but not with benzylamine as substrate in both rat brain and liver mitochondria. Lignocaine (2-20 mM) inhibits (in vitro) both brain and liver mitochondrial MAO activity, using tyramine, serotonin and benzylamine as substrates, in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, lignocaine produces a marked in vitro inhibition of serotonin and tyramine oxidation in MAO-A and not in MAO-B preparation of rat brain. Ackermann-Potter plots of MAO indicate that lignocaine-induced inhibition of MAO activity is reversible in nature. Lineweaver-Burk plots show that lignocaine (2-10 mM) produces a significant increase in Km and decrease in Vmax of MAO for tyramine and serotonin in both brain and liver. Similarly Km and Vmax values are changed using benzylamine as substrate in the presence of relatively higher concentrations of lignocaine (5-20 mM). These results suggest that lignocaine-induced inhibition of mitochondrial membrane-bound MAO activity of both neuronal and non-neuronal tissues is associated with its conformational change.     

Enzymic and molecular characteristics of a new form of monoamine oxidase, distinct from form-A and form-B

The present study was undertaken to clarify the enzymic and molecular properties of monoamine oxidase (MAO) in carp brain. In particular, its sensitivities to selective MAO inhibitors, kinetic properties and molecular weight were compared with those of the enzyme in carp liver. The selective and potent MAO-A and MAO-B inhibitors FLA 788(+), FLA 336(+), MD 780236 and benzylcyanide caused dose-dependent inhibitions of MAO activity in both carp brain and liver; the inhibition curves were all single-sigmoidal, and the degrees of inhibition of the activities towards 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, selective MAO-A substrate), tyramine (substrate for both forms of MAO) and beta-phenylethylamine (PEA, selective MAO-B substrate) were similar. This was also the case for inhibition of activity in carp brain by the irreversible and selective MAO-A and MAO-B inhibitors clorgyline and I-deprenyl, indicating the presence in both preparations of a single MAO which differs from either form of MAO. Studies on the substrate specificities and Km values for these three substrates and the inhibitory effects of some compounds suggested that the enzymic characters of MAO in carp preparations were similar and that these enzymes might be FAD-containing enzymes, like MAO in various mammals. By labelling the preparations with radioactive pargyline and then subjecting them to sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis, the apparent molecular weights of carp brain and liver MAO were estimated as 60,000 daltons. The same value was also obtained for rat brain and liver mitochondrial MAO-B. These results indicate that by the present definitions of MAO-A and MAO-B, MAO in carp brain and liver is similar to, but distinct from, both these forms of MAO.     

Inhibition of rodent brain monoamine oxidase and tyrosine hydroxylase by endogenous compounds - 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-isoquinoline alkaloids

Four different noncatecholic and one catecholic tetrahydroisoquinolines (TIQs), cyclic condensation derivatives of beta-phenylethylamine and dopamine with aldehydes or keto acids, were examined for the inhibition of rat and mouse brain monoamine oxidase (MAO) and rat striatum tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity. Simple noncatecholic TIQs were found to act as moderate (TIQ, N-methyl-TIQ, 1-methyl-TIQ) or weak (1-benzyl-TIQ), MAO B and MAO A inhibitors. 1-Methyl-TIQ inhibited more potently MAO-A than MAO-B; the similar but more modest effect was exerted by salsolinol. Only salsolinol markedly inhibited TH activity, being competitive with the enzyme biopterin cofactor. The inhibition of MAO and TH by TIQs is discussed in relation to their ability to regulate monoamine metabolism.     

Effects of zinc ion on type A monoamine oxidase in monkey brain mitochondria

The effects of ZnSO(4) on types A and B monoamine oxidase (MAO) isozymes in monkey brain mitochondria were investigated, in vitro. Type A MAO activity in monkey brain decreased to about 50% with 1 microM ZnSO(4) using serotonin as a substrate, and this inhibition was proportional to the concentration of ZnSO(4). ZnSO(4) had no effect, however, on type B MAO activity in monkey brain using beta-phenylethylamine as a substrate. The inhibition by ZnSO(4) of type A MAO activity was competitive and reversible. ZnSO(4) did not inhibit either type A or type B MAO activity in rat brain mitochondria. Almost similar results were also obtained when ZnCl(2) was used, in vitro. These results indicate that the inhibiting action of zinc ion differs depending on animal species and organ. Type A MAO in monkey brain mitochondria was highly sensitive to zinc ion, while type B activity was less sensitive.     

Inhibition of monoamine oxidase activity by cannabinoids

Brain monoamines are involved in many of the same processes affected by neuropsychiatric disorders and psychotropic drugs, including cannabinoids. This study investigated in vitro effects of cannabinoids on the activity of monoamine oxidase (MAO), the enzyme responsible for metabolism of monoamine neurotransmitters and affecting brain development and function. The effects of the phytocannabinoid Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the endocannabinoid anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamide [AEA]), and the synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist WIN 55,212-2 (WIN) on the activity of MAO were measured in a crude mitochondrial fraction isolated from pig brain cortex. Monoamine oxidase activity was inhibited by the cannabinoids; however, higher half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) of cannabinoids were required compared to the known MAO inhibitor iproniazid. The IC₅₀ was 24.7 μmol/l for THC, 751 μmol/l for AEA, and 17.9 μmol/l for WIN when serotonin was used as substrate (MAO-A), and 22.6 μmol/l for THC, 1,668 μmol/l for AEA, and 21.2 μmol/l for WIN when phenylethylamine was used as substrate (MAO-B). The inhibition of MAOs by THC was noncompetitive. N-Arachidonoylethanolamide was a competitive inhibitor of MAO-A and a noncompetitive inhibitor of MAO-B. WIN was a noncompetitive inhibitor of MAO-A and an uncompetitive inhibitor of MAO-B. Monoamine oxidase activity is affected by cannabinoids at relatively high drug concentrations, and this effect is inhibitory. Decrease of MAO activity may play a role in some effects of cannabinoids on serotonergic, noradrenergic, and dopaminergic neurotransmission.     

Inhibition of rat brain monoamine oxidase activities by psoralen and isopsoralen: implications for the treatment of affective disorders

Psoralen and isopsoralen, furocoumarins isolated from the plant Psoralea corylifolia L., were demonstrated to exhibit in vitro inhibitory actions on monoamine oxidase (MAO) activities in rat brain mitochondria, preferentially inhibiting MAO-A activity over MAO-B activity. This inhibition of enzyme activities was found to be dose-dependent and reversible. For MAO-A, the IC50 values are 15.2 +/- 1.3 microM psoralen and 9.0 +/- 0.6 microM isopsoralen. For MAO-B, the IC50 values are 61.8 +/- 4.3 microM psoralen and 12.8 +/- 0.5 microM isopsoralen. Lineweaver-Burk transformation of the inhibition data indicates that inhibition by both psoralen and isopsoralen is non-competitive for MAO-A. The Ki values were calculated to be 14.0 microM for psoralen and 6.5 microM for isopsoralen. On the other hand, inhibition by both psoralen and isopsoralen is competitive for MAO-B. The Ki values were calculated to be 58.1 microM for psoralen and 10.8 microM for isopsoralen. These inhibitory actions of psoralen and isopsoralen on rat brain mitochondrial MAO activities are discussed in relation to their toxicities and their potential applications to treat affective disorders.     

Effect of diethylnitrosamine on monoamine oxidase in rat liver

The effect of diethylnitrosamine (DEN), a well-known experimental carcinogen, toward MAO-A and MAO-B activity of rat liver was investigated. The oxidations of both beta-PEA (MAO-B) and 5-HT (MAO-A) were inhibited by DEN. The K1 values of DEN in the inhibition of rat liver MAO-A and MAO-B activity were determined. The kinetic data show that DEN is a competitive, MAO-B selective inhibitor and its inhibitory effect on MAO-B is about 4-fold more potent than that on MAO-A. DEN might change the proportions of the multiple forms of MAO activity in tumor cells.     

Inhibition of brain mitochondrial monoamine oxidases by the endogenous compound 5-hydroxyoxindole

5-Hydroxyoxindole is a recently identified endogenous compound. Its physiological role remains unclear but certain evidence exists, that it may share some regulatory properties with isatin, a known endogenous inhibitor of monoamine oxidase (MAO) type B (MAO-B). In this study several oxidized indoles were tested for their in vitro inhibition of MAO type A (MAO-A) and B of rat brain non-synaptic mitochondria. 5-Hydroxyoxindole was less potent MAO-A inhibitor (IC50 56.8 microM) than isatin (31.8 microM) and especially 5-hydroxyisatin (6.5 microM), but it was the only highly selective MAO-A inhibitor among the all compounds studied (IC50 MAO-A:IC50 MAO-B = 0.044). Thus, the in vitro data suggest that MAO-A may represent potential target for 5-hydroxyoxindole.     

Studies of monoamine oxidase and semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase. I. Inhibition by a selective monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor, MD 780236

In vitro studies of the effect of MD 780236, a selective monoamine oxidase (MAO)-B inhibitor, on a semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) in rat testis and lung showed that this compound dose-dependently inhibited SSAO activity. The extents of inhibition of MAO-A, -B and SSAO in these two rat tissues by this compound after 30 min of preincubation were found to be MAO-B greater than MAO-A greater than SSAO. This selectivity was also evident in preparations without preincubation. Degree of inhibition of SSAO was not significantly influenced by pretreatment with either 10(-3) M clorgyline, I-deprenyl or 10(-4) M SKF 525A. Inhibition of SSAO was not enhanced by varying the time of preincubation of the enzyme and the compound, indicating direct action on and reversible inhibition of SSAO. The inhibition of SSAO by MD 780236 was non-competitive with or without preincubation, with a K1 value of 110 muM. Although MD 780236 is a selective and "suicide substrate" inhibitor of MAO-B, these present results indicate that this compound may also inhibit SSAO activity, but by a mechanism different from that for MAO-B. These findings confirm an earlier hypothesis that compounds that inhibit both MAO and SSAO have totally different modes of action on these two different amine oxidases.     

Inhibition of rat brain monoamine oxidase activity by cerebral anti-ischemic agent, ifenprodil

Ifenprodil, which is clinically used as a cerebral vasodilator, inhibited rat brain type A (MAO-A) and type B (MAO-B) monoamine oxidase activity. It did not, however, affect rat lung semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase. The degree of inhibition of either form of MAO was not changed by 30 min preincubation of the enzyme preparations at 37 degrees C with ifenprodil. Modes of inhibition of MAO-A and MAO-B by ifenprodil were competitive towards oxidation of their respective substrates, 5-hydroxytryptamine and benzylamine, with Ki values of 75 microM for inhibition of MAO-A and 110 microM for inhibition of MAO-B.     

Species differences in the deamination of dopamine and other substrates for monoamine oxidase in brain

Cortex and caudate specimens from human, non-human primate and rodent brains were examined for their ability to deaminate dopamine and for their sensitivity to irreversible monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors. Using inhibition curves obtained with clorgyline, deprenyl and pargyline to estimate the relative proportions of MAO-A and MAO-B activity, dopamine was found to be deaminated predominantly by MAO-A in rat cortex and caudate. In contrast, dopamine was primarily an MAO-B substrate in human and vervet cortex and caudate. When clorgyline inhibition curves with tyramine or dopamine as substrate were compared in human, vervet and rat cortex, more pronounced species differences were found with dopamine than with tyramine. In all three species caudate tended to be more sensitive to inhibition by low concentrations of clorgyline than was cortex, suggesting a higher proportion of MAO-A activity in caudate. Similar species differences were also found when MAO-A activities were estimated using serotonin (5-HT): -phenylethylamine (PEA) ratios (5-HT/5-HT + PEA). These ratios with selective substrates were highly correlated with clorgyline inhibition curves obtained with tyramine as substrate across 29 brain regions and tissues from different rodent and primate species (r=0.85, P<0.001). Data from both the substrate ratios and the clorgyline inhibition curves confirmed the relative predominance of MAO-B activity in primate brain regions (70–85%) as compared to rat brain regions (45%). Smaller species differences were observed in liver. Species differences in the proportion of brain MAO-A and B activities and in the deamination of dopamine and other substrates for MAO may have important implications in regard to the widespread use of rodent rather than primate models in the study of biogenic amine metabolism and of drugs affecting amine function.     

Substrate- and inhibitor-related characteristics of human platelet monoamine oxidase

Human platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) preferentially deaminated benzylamine and phenylethylamine, two substrates relatively specific for type B MAO, in comparison to 5-hydroxytryptamine, a substrate specific for type A MAO. In studies comparing human platelet and rat brain MAO specific activities, benzylamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine deamination by platelets was approximately 90 and 2 per cent, respectively, that of brain, while platelet deamination of dopamine, tryptamine and tyramine was 20 per cent or less than that of brain. Among sixteen drugs studied, platelet MAO activity was selectively inhibited by low concentrations of the MAO-B inhibitors, deprenyl and pargyline, and was relatively insensitive to the MAO-A inhibitors, clorgyline and Lilly 51641. These observations, in addition to the simple sigmoid inhibition curves obtained with increasing concentrations of either clorgyline or deprenyl, suggest that platelet MAO consists of essentially one distinguishable form of MAO which most closely resembles the MAO type B found in other tissues.     

Studies of monoamine oxidases: Effect of Triton X-100 and bile salts on monoamine oxidase in brain mitochondria

Triton X-100 and the bile salts, cholate and deoxycholate, detergents often used in the solubilization of monoamine oxidase (MAO) from mitochondria, have been found to cause an inhibition of the enzyme activity. With beef brain mitochondria, it was found that there was a differential effect of Triton X-100 on the putative MAO types A and B, with MAO-A being more susceptible to inhibition by Triton X-100. This was indicated by the greater loss of serotonin-deaminating than of phenyl ethylamine-deaminating activity in the presence of Triton X-100. Although the bile salts also caused substantial inactivation at concentrations above 0.1%, no differentiation between MAO types could be made. Kinetic studies of the inhibition by Triton X-100 indicated two different mechanisms were occurring with the two MAO types. The inhibition was competitive for MAO-A, but uncompetitive for MAO-B. Removal of Triton X-100 by co-polymer beads restored some, but not all of the activity for both MAO-A and MAO-B types. This suggests that the activity loss may have been due in part to inactivation when the enzyme was separated from the mitochondrial membrane.     

Interaction of psychotropic drugs with monoamine oxidase in rat brain

Literature observations indicate that some psychotropic drugs may have inhibitory activity towards monoamine oxidase (MAO). This study was undertaken to assess the potency, isozyme selectivity and mechanism of inhibition of representative first- and second-generation antidepressant drugs towards rat brain MAO-A and MAO-B. Five tricyclic antidepressants (imipramine, trimipramine, clomipramine, amitriptyline and doxepine) and three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (fluoxetine, fluvoxamine and citalopram) were examined. They showed inhibitory activity towards MAO-A and MAO-B, with clear selectivity for MAO-B (Ki in the micromolar range). Their mechanism of inhibition was competitive towards MAO-B and of a mixed competitive type towards MAO-A. The results suggest that some of the drugs examined might also contribute an MAO inhibitory effect in chronically treated patients.     

Mechanism of monoamine oxidase-A inhibition by BW 1370U87

BW 1370U87 is a potent, selective inhibitor of rat and human MAO-A with a competitive mechanism of action. K_i = 0.01 μM with either serotonin or tyramine as substrate. After preincubation of BW 1370U87 with mitochondrial MAO, full enzyme activity was restored by dialysis. Following oral administration to rats, BW 1370U87 inhibited brain MAO-A in a dose-dependent manner, with a duration greater than 6 hr, but less than 24 hr. No significant inhibition of MAO-B by BW 1370U87 was observed either in vitro or ex vivo. The selectivity, reversibility, and competitive kinetics of the inhibition by BW 1370U87 may contribute to an improved safety profile with this novel MAO-A inhibitor.     

Novel monoamine oxidase inhibitors, 3-(2-aminoethoxy)-1,2-benzisoxazole derivatives, and their differential reversibility

Although possible usefulness of non-selective monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors for Parkinson's disease therapy has been suggested in the literature, MAO inhibitors whose inhibition is reversible and have dual action to both MAO-A and -B subtypes is not available yet. Subtype selectivity and reversibility of a series of novel MAO inhibitors, 3-(2-aminoethoxy)-1,2-benzisoxazole derivatives, were studied. Several dual MAO inhibitors, which inhibit both MAO-A and -B, were obtained. When administered to mice, their effects were generally reversible. Among the derivatives, RS-1636 and RS-1653 had much longer duration of brain MAO-B inhibition than that of MAO-A. In vitro, the inhibited MAO-A activity by these compounds was partially recovered by buffer change at 4 degrees C, while little MAO-B activity was recovered. Although it is not fully elucidated yet, the reversibility of these inhibitors is probably determined primarily by this dissociation profile. This unique differential reversibility indicates that optimization of the balance of actions can be achieved by differentiating reversibility to each target molecule.     

Rasagiline [N-propargyl-1R(+)-aminoindan], a selective and potent inhibitor of mitochondrial monoamine oxidase B

1. Rasagiline [N-propargyl-1R(+)-aminoindan], was examined for its monoamine oxidase (MAO) A and B inhibitor activities in rats together with its S(-)-enantiomer (TVP 1022) and the racemic compound (AGN-1135) and compared to selegiline (1-deprenyl). The tissues that were studied for MAO inhibition were the brain, liver and small intestine. 2. While rasagiline and AGN1135 are highly potent selective irreversible inhibitors of MAO in vitro and in vivo, the S(-) enantiomer is relatively inactive in the tissues examined. 3. The in vitro IC(50) values for inhibition of rat brain MAO activity by rasagiline are 4.43+/-0.92 nM (type B), and 412+/-123 nM (type A). The ED(50) values for ex vivo inhibition of MAO in the brain and liver by a single dose of rasagiline are 0.1+/-0.01, 0.042+/-0.0045 mg kg(-1) respectively for MAO-B, and 6.48+/-0.81, 2.38+/-0.35 mg kg(-1) respectively for MAO-A. 4. Selective MAO-B inhibition in the liver and brain was maintained on chronic (21 days) oral dosage with ED(50) values of 0.014+/-0.002 and 0.013+/-0.001 mg kg(-1) respectively. 5. The degree of selectivity of rasagiline for inhibition of MAO-B as opposed to MAO-A was similar to that of selegiline. Rasagiline was three to 15 times more potent than selegiline for inhibition of MAO-B in rat brain and liver in vivo on acute and chronic administration, but had similar potency in vitro. 6. These data together with lack of tyramine sympathomimetic potentiation by rasagiline, at selective MAO-B inhibitory dosage, indicate that this inhibitor like selegiline may be a useful agent in the treatment of Parkinson's disease in either symptomatic or L-DOPA adjunct therapy, but lack of amphetamine-like metabolites could present a therapeutic advantage for rasagiline.