Piperoxane is an α2-noradrenergic antagonist with demonstrated excitatory effects on neurons in the locus coeruleus, causing a corresponding increase in norepinephrine in many forebrain areas. 16 male Fischer-344 rats approximately 16 months of age were injected with 3 mg/kg of piperoxane or .09% saline. The piperoxane-treated rats lived an average of 127.1 days longer than the saline-treated rats. The results are discussed in terms of the effects of strategies designed to enhance brain levels of catecholamine and their effect on the aging process. A discussion of further research is also presented.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
CedarbaumJ. M.AghajanianG. K. (1976) Noradrenergic neurons of the locus coeruleus: inhibition by epinephrine and activation by the α2-antagonist piperoxane. Brain Research, 112, 413–419.
2.
DietrichK. L.ComptonD. M. (submitted) Noradrenergic modulation of learning and memory in rats: effects of piperoxane.
3.
FeldmanR. S.QuenzerL. F. (1984) Fundamentals of neuropsychopharmacology. Sunderland, MA: Sinauer.
4.
HomtellD. C. (1987) Statistical methods for psychology. (2nd ed.) Boston, MA: PWS-Kent.
5.
IvyG. O. (1990) Maintenance of L-deprenyl prolongs life in aged male cats. Life Sciences, 47, 415–420.
6.
IvyG. O.RickJ. T.MurphyM. P.HeadE.ReidC.MilgramN. W. (1994) Effects of L-deprenyl on manifestations of aging in the rat and dog. Annals of the New York Academy of Science, 717, 45–59.
7.
KitaniK.KanaiS.CarrilloM. C.IvyG. O. (1994) (−) deprenyl increases life span as well as activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase but not of lutathione peroxidase in selective brain regions in Fischer rats. Annals of the New York Academy of Science, 717, 60–71.
8.
KnollJ.YenT. T.MiklyaI. (1994) Sexually low performing male rats die earlier than their high performing peers and (−) deprenyl treatment eliminates this difference. Life Sciences, 54, 1047–1057.
9.
MilgramN. W.RacineR. J.NellisP.MendoncaA.IvyG. O. (1990) Maintenance of L-Deprenyl prolongs life in aged male rats. Life Sciences, 47, 415–420.
10.
PiantanelliL.ZaiaA.RossoliniC.ViticchiC.TestaR.BassoA.AntogogniniA. (1994) Influence of L-Deprenyl treatment on mouse survival kinetics. Annals of the New York Academy of Science, 717, 72–78.
11.
PletscherA. (1968) Monoamine oxidase inhibitors: effects related to psychostimulation. In EfronD. H. (Ed.), Psychopharmacology: a review of progress 1957–1964. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. (Pub 1836). Pp. 649–654.
12.
WeindruchR.WalfordR. L. (1988) The retardation of aging and disease by dietary restriction. Springfield, IL: Thomas.
13.
Woodruff-PakD. S. (1990) Mammalian models of learning, memory, and aging. In BirrenJ. E.SchaieK. W. (Eds.), Handbook of the psychology of aging. (3rd ed.) San Diego, CA: Academic Press. Pp. 234–257.
14.
YuB. Y.MasaroE. J.McMahonE. (1985) Nutritional influences on aging of Fischer 344 rats: I. Physical, metabolic and longevity characteristics. Journal of Gerontology, 40, 657–670.
15.
YuB. Y.MasaroE. J.MurataI.BertrandH. A.LyndF. T. (1982) Life span study of SPF Fischer 344 male rats fed ad libitum or restricted diets: longevity, growth, lean body mass and disease. Journal of Gerontology, 37, 130–141.
16.
ZornetzerS. F. (1985) Catecholamine system involvement in age-related memory dysfunction. Annals of the New York Academy of Science, 444, 242–254.
