Serum and Urine Polyamines in Normal and in Short Children

Abstract

A B S T R A C T The serum and urine polyamines putrescine, spermidine, and spermine were measured in 112 normal subjects from 0 to 70 yr of age, and in three groups of short children from 7 to 20 yr: 21 growth hormone (GH) deficient patients, 20 normal variant short stature children, and 9 girls with 45, X Turner's syndrome. Urine polyamines were expressed as micromoles per gram of creatinine or per kilogram body weight, and serum polyamines were expressed as nanomoles per milliliter.In normals, the three polyamines were highest in urine and serum at birth. The mean levels declined progressively with age, the rate of change decreasing with age. The mean for the normal subjects, and its 95% confidence and prediction intervals, were estimated from birth to age 70 for each serum and urine polyamine.In GH-deficient children, serum and urine values were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than the agespecific normal values (with the exception of serum spermidine and spermine), averaging 25-55% below normal. This abnormality was corrected during 1 wk of treatment with human GH. In Turner's syndrome, serum and urine values were significantly reduced (P < 0.05), averaging 35-80% below age-specific normals. GH treatment had no corrective effect.In 6 of 20 normal variant short stature children, polyamine levels were significantly (P < 0.01) subnormal, averaging 50-80% below age-specific normals in both serum and urine. Treatment with GH had no corrective effect.These data show that levels of polyamines in serum and urine are correlated with linear growth primarily during the first decade of life. Subnormal polyamine levels are generally associated with growth retardation.

Abnormal Polyamine Metabolism in Hereditary Muscular Dystrophies

“…The normal serum and urine levels of Pu, Sd, and Sm conformed to the previously described normal range (13). Normal levels of Cd in serum and urine were: 0.00-0.02 ,umol/liter and 0.17-0.93 ,mol/kg per BW per 24 h, respectively.…”

“…In the four men with MMD, serum and urine polyamine profiles differed from the normal controls in this study and in previously reported experiments (13). In serum and urine, Sm and Cd were significantly elevated (P < 0.005) and Sd was significantly depressed (P < 0.05).…”

“…The average value for each group was then compared at each time period (Fig. 2) In the normal men, serum and urine Pu, Sd, and Sm levels fell within the 95% prediction limits reported for normal age-adjusted subjects (13). The normal ranges of serum and urine Cd levels, not previously reported, were now found to be 0.00-0.02 ,mol/liter and 0.08-0.20 ,mol/kg BW per 24 h, respectively.…”

“…(3,12). In GH-deficient subjects, polyamines in serum and urine are subnormal, and are restored to normal by hGH (13). The hormone has little or no effect on polyamine levels in normal individuals.…”

“…measurement of Pu, Sd, Sm, and Cd (13); fasting serum levels Metabolic balance studies were performed (1). After a 3-d of these compounds were determined (13) on the last 2 d of equilibration to the standard diet, daily balances of N, P, and control and hGH periods. Urine from the boys with DMD and K were measured during a 5-d control period followed by a the normal boys was collected while they were on an ad lib.…”