Urinary polyamine excretion as related to cell death and cell proliferation induced by carbon tetrachloride intoxication.

This study addresses the question whether urinary polyamine excretion is related to cell death or cell proliferation. CCl4 intoxication of the rat was used as the experimental model. Treatment with CCl4, a hepatotoxic haloalkane, produces an initial phase of liver cell death succeeded by a regenerative phase of growth, during which the liver is restored. The highest rate of putrescine (and spermidine) excretion occurred during the first 24 hr of CCl4 intoxication and coincided with the period of maximum liver damage. During subsequent liver regeneration the rate of excretion of both polyamines decreased.