The ex vivo effects of procarbazine and methylhydrazine on some rat amine oxidase activities

Abstract

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) and semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) activities were examined in homogenates of various rat tissues following i.p. administration of procarbazine or methylhydrazine. Both compounds inhibited SSAO in a dose-dependent manner in all tissues examined, with methylhydrazine the more potent agent in this respect. Little inhibition of MAO could be detected in most cases. However, hepatic MAO-B activity was potentiated significantly in rats receiving methylhydrazine and both drugs caused a dose- dependent potentiation of MAO-A in homogenates of brown adipose tissue. The potential use of these compounds in vivo as selective SSAO inhibitors is discussed.