title: Influence of vitamin E on polyamine metabolism in ozone-exposed rat lungs.
abstract: The influence of vitamin E (E) on lung polyamine metabolism of rats exposed to ozone (O3) was examined. Rats fed diets wither E-deficient or supplemented with 1000 IU E/kg were exposed to 0.5 +/- 0.05 ppm O3 or filtered room air continuously for 5 days. They were then sacrificed and their lungs were analyzed for biochemical changes. Lung E content was strongly associated with the dietary level, and increased (36%, P less than 0.05) after O3 exposure only in E-supplemented rats. Lung polyamine metabolism was not affected in the air-control rats by E level, but increased after O3 exposure in both dietary groups. The activities of ornithine decarboxylase and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase were elevated above air controls. However, the increases were significant only for E-deficient rats when compared to E-supplemented rats. After O3 exposure, putrescine increased significantly in both dietary groups; spermidine increased but was significantly higher only in the E-deficient group; and spermine remained unchanged in both dietary groups. Elevated E content of supplemented rat lungs after O3 exposure may represent its mobilization under oxidant stress. Increased polyamine metabolism of E-deficient rats suggests either a greater sensitivity to injury by O3 or a possible antioxidant function for polyamines compensating for E deficiency.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D008168:Lung / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010126:Ozone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011073:Polyamines / Q000378:metabolism*; D011700:Putrescine / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D013095:Spermidine / Q000378:metabolism; D013096:Spermine / Q000378:metabolism; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014811:Vitamin E Deficiency / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011073:Polyamines; D014810:Vitamin E; D013096:Spermine; D010126:Ozone; D013095:Spermidine; D011700:Putrescine