TOXICITY OF SPERMINE AND SPERMIDINE TO CELLS IN CULTURE

Spermine tetrahydrochloride and spermidine trihydrochloride were examined for toxic effect on primary human embryo lung fibroblasts and on H.Ep.2 cells. Both substances inhibited the primary cells more than the H.Ep.2 cells and in each case a higher concentration of spermidine than of spermine was required to produce the same effect on cell morphology and replication. Neither substance influenced glucose uptake from the medium by either cell type during the first 24 hr of contact. Comparison of the toxicities towards some bacteria and towards these cultures of human cells leads to the conclusion that neither spermine nor spermidine is likely to be suitable for antibacterial chemotherapy. © 1969.