Deprenyl changes the expression of Trk-B and P75 NTR receptors in rat after sciatic nerve axotomy

During development many of neurons die by the phenomenon named programmed cell death or apoptosis and this reaction is regulated by neurotrophin (BDNF, NGF, NT3 and NT4/5). These neurotrophins bind to two different classes of transmembrane receptor proteins, the Trks and P75 NTR. Axotomy can induce apoptosis after birth and deprenyl is a an inhibitor of monoamineoxidase type-B and seems to act as a neuroprotective factor and reduces apoptosis after sciatic nerve axotomy. The aim of this research was to study the effect of deprenyl (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.) following axotomy in newborn rat and to study the changes in expression of Trk-B and P75 NTR by RT-PCR. The segment of L4-L6 was studied after sciatic nerve axotomy. This study was conducted on 2 groups, control (normal saline injection) and experimental (deprenyl injection) and each group was classified into 3 subgroups on the basis of the time of injection and axotomy. In all of the 6 subgroups, 4 hours after injection, they were sacrificed and the segments L4-L6 of spinal cord processed by RT-PCR. The results showed that deprenyl increases expression of Trk-B, but decreases expression of P75 NTR as compared to control group.