Polyamine metabolism in rat parotid gland after duct ligation.

Parotid ducts were ligated unilaterally in rats for periods from 6 h to 5 months. A slight increase in gland weight was observed during the first 24 h; thereafter, the weight gradually fell, being less than 50% of controls at 5 months. The activity of the putrescine-forming enzyme, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), increased with peak values by 3 days and 3 weeks. However, the putrescine content had already reached its highest value by 24 h. A notably marked reduction of spermidine and spermine contents was observed by 1 day after ligation and throughout the whole time of observation. The results suggest that an inverse polyamine metabolism occurred, that is, spermine converts to spermidine which in turn converts to putrescine.