Cytoprotective effect of (-)-deprenyl, (-)desmethyl-deprenyl and (-)deprenyl-N-oxide on glutathione depleted A-2058 melanoma cells.

Postulated cytoprotective action of (-)-deprenyl (D), (-)-desmethyl-deprenyl (DD) and (-)-deprenyl-N-oxide (DNO) on L-buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine (BSO) toxicity was investigated using in vitro cultures of serum-deprived A-2058 melanoma cells. BSO (10 microM/l) decreased viable cell number and mitotic rate, while increased the apoptotic index. D and both of its metabolites, given together with BSO in the concentration of 50 microM/l, mitigated cell loss and decreased the apoptotic ratio. DD was the most effective compound in decreasing apoptotic activity, while DNO stabilized the cell number on control level and increasing the ratio of mitotic cells above the only serum-deprived control. Surveillance on mitochondrial membrane stability and antioxidant properties may play an important role in these processes.