Intestinal effects of long‐lasting spermine ingestion by suckling rats

Abstract

Spermine ingestion induces the precocious maturation of the small intestine in suckling rats. Previous observations suggest that spermine-induced intestinal maturation is a two-step phenomenon. The first step is the elimination of immature enterocytes (4-10 h post spermine ingestion) and the second step is the replacement of previous immature cells by adult-type enterocytes (2-3 days post initial spermine administration). The spermine-induced maturation is reversible when spermine administration is stopped. This work was undertaken in order to check whether the extension of polyamine administration (for 3-7 days) after the appearance of spermine-induced maturation can retain the mature state of the small intestine. Our results indicate that extension of spermine administration does not prevent some parameters (sucrase and maltase specific activities) reverting to a typical 'immature' value while others remain at a typical 'mature' level (mucosal weight and lactase specific activity). Our results show that there are at least two different mechanisms in required for the control of spermine-induced maturation of the small intestine.

Enhancement of Gastrointestinal Absorption of Ovalbumin Caused by Spermine Induces an Increase in Plasma Histamine Levels in Mice Sensitized to Ovalbumin

“…The dose and concentration of SPM selected for the present experiments approximated those used by previous investigators to induce the maturation of the intestine in animals. [10][11][12][13][14][15] The dose of SPM used in the present study is well within normal limits.…”

“…8,9) Oral administration of SPM induces precocious maturation of the intestine. [10][11][12][13][14][15] Oral polyamines have also been shown to have beneficial effects on healing 16,17) and prevention [18][19][20] of gastrointestinal damage.The gastrointestinal tract acts as a barrier against the invasion of exogenous proteins into the body. This barrier function is due to enzymes that degrade the proteins and also due to impermeability of the proteins to the membrane due to their large molecular weight.…”

Implicaciones de las poliaminas en la salud infantil

“…En la Tabla 2 se muestra un breve resumen de los trabajos publicados en este campo. 13,33,[44][45][46][47][48][49][50] La elevada síntesis fetal de poliaminas durante la gestación, junto con las considerables y significativas variaciones de estas aminas durante los primeros días de vida en niños prematuros y nacidos a término, se han relacionado con su papel sobre el desarrollo, diferenciación y crecimiento celular en el organismo. 51 Además, la síntesis de poliaminas, especialmente de espermidina, aumenta progresivamente en la glándula mamaria durante los períodos de gestación y lactancia.…”

“…33,49 Los fructooligosacá-ridos aumentan la proporción de Bifidobacterium y Lactobacillus, así como la concentración de poliaminas en el contenido cecal; se supone que la administración de prebióticos se relaciona con el recambio (turnover) de las poliaminas, probablemente a través de su efecto sobre la microflora del intestino grueso. 56 Se ha descrito que la ingesta de las poliaminas presentes en la leche materna podría favorecer la maduración intestinal y prevenir las alergias alimentarias en niños lactantes.…”

Effect of spermine on liver and spleen antioxidant status in weaned rats

“…Liver and spleen samples were quickly removed, frozen in liquid nitrogen, and stored at −80 °C until further analyses. The spermine doses and duration of spermine administration in this trial were determined on the basis of previous studies (Deloyer et al, 2005;Liu et al, 2014).…”