Inhibition of mouse skin tumor promotion and of promoter-induced epidermal polyamine biosynthesis by methylglyoxal bis(butylamidinohydrazone).

Effects of methylglyoxal bis(butylamidinohydrazone) (MGBB), a reversible inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (AdoMetDC), on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced increases of ODC and AdoMetDC activities, ODC and mRNA level and polyamine contents in mouse skin were investigated in connection with tumor formation. Formation of papillomas by applications of TPA to 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-initiated mouse skin was effectively inhibited by simultaneous topical applications of MGBB, MGBB also dose-dependently inhibited the ability of TPA to induce increases of ODC activity, ODC mRNA level and the accumulation of putrescine and spermidine in mouse skin. Induction of AdoMetDC activity was not affected by the drug. These inhibitory effects of MGBB on ODC induction and tumor promotion were more evident in multiple application experiments than with a single application of the drug.