SPERMINE-LIKE FUNCTIONS OF N1,N12-BIS(ETHYL)SPERMINE - STIMULATION OF PROTEIN-SYNTHESIS AND CELL-GROWTH AND INHIBITION OF GASTRIC-ULCERATION

The spermine analogue N1, N12-bis(ethyl)spermine (BESPM) could mimic the functions of spermine in the following aspects: 1) BESPM could stimulate globin and ornithine decarboxylase synthesis in a rabbit reticulocyte cell-free system; 2) the addition of BESPM to the culture medium could recover cell growth of polyamine-deficient bovine lymphocytes; 3) spermidine uptake by bovine lymphocytes was inhibited by BESPM and spermine to a comparable degree; and 4) stress-induced gastric ulceration was inhibited by subcutaneous admi-nistration of BESPM. Since BESPM was less toxic than spermine for mice, BESPM or its derivatives may be useful for diseases which can be cured by polyamines. © 1990.