Metabolism of N 1 -Acetylspermidine and N 8 -Acetylspermidine in Rats

Abstract

Abstract

Metabolism of N ¹-acetylspermidine and N ⁸-acetylspermidine in rat liver and kidney was studied in vivo. N ¹-Acetylspermidine was metabolized primarily to putrescine while N ⁸-acetylspermidine underwent deacetylation to yield spermidine. The rate of metabolism of these two compounds was much greater than that of spermidine. The rate of metabolism of N ⁸-acetylspermidine exceeded that of N ¹-acetylspermidine in both liver and kidney. These rapid rates of metabolism could at least in part account for the low levels of these two compounds found in tissues. The differences in routes of metabolism of N ¹-acetylspermidine and N ⁸-acetylspermidine may indicate differences in cellular functions of the two compounds.