In vitro interactions between endogenous polyamines and superoxide anion.

Endogenous polyamines with anti-inflammatory activity scavenge superoxide and possibly other oxy-radicals produced by xanthine oxidase or from stimulated polymorphonuclear leucocytes. Polyamines incubated with stimulated cells are in part metabolised. Putrescine is converted to metabolites tentatively identified as gamma-aminobutyraldehyde, delta'-pyrolline and gamma-aminobutyric acid. The metabolism of spermidine, spermine and cadaverine was not as extensively studied but metabolites were formed that gave positive reaction to Schiffs reagent on tlc plates. The possible relevance of the results to the anti-inflammatory action of polyamines is discussed.