Chronic experimental diabetes accelerates urinary elimination of deprenyl and its metabolites.

Many diabetic patients take several medications to treat diabetes-associated complications and other ailments. The mode of elimination of these drugs and their metabolites are poorly understood. The elimination of deprenyl, a MAO-B inhibitor, used for the treatment of the early stage of Parkinson's disease and senile dementia was investigated using thin layer chromatography.Male Wistar rats (180-200 g) were rendered diabetic by streptozotocin (STZ) treatment (60 mg/kg, i.v.). Rats having at least three times higher plasma glucose level than the normal were considered diabetic. Rats were treated with a single oral dose of 5 mg/kg (14)C-(methyl)-labeled (-)-deprenyl, 98 microCi/mg. Diabetic rats excreted the majority of urinary radioactivity in 8 hours, while control rats did it in 16 hours. The approximate ratio of major metabolites as determined using thin-layer chromatography did not change. In conclusion, diabetic rats excreted radiolabelled-deprenyl more rapidly compared to control animals. Increased elimination of deprenyl should be taken into account in the management of patients suffering from diabetes.