Induction of ornithine decarboxylase and s-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase by sulfobromophthalein in rats

Abstract

The administration of sulfobromophthalein (BSP, 0.5 mmol/kg, ip.) increased ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC) activities to 30-fold and 5-fold, respectively, of the controls at 12 hr in the liver of rats. Parallel to the increase in ODC, there was an increase in hepatic putrescine content. However, spermine content tended to decrease. BSP increased ODC and SAMDC activities and putrescine content, but decreased spermine content, in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment of rats with actinomycin D and cycloheximide almost completely blocked the BSP-mediated increase of ODC and SAMDC activities. Pretreatment with glutathione (GSH) failed to inhibit BSP-mediated increase of ODC and SAMDC activities. In addition, the administration of BSP-GSH conjugate (0.5 mmol/kg, iv.) did not produce the increase of ODC and SAMDC activities. Pretreatment with phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene did not inhibit BSP-mediated increase of ODC and SAMDC. The results indicate that BSP could cause changes in hepatic polyamine content due to the induction of ODC and SAMDC.