title: Host liver changes in leukemic mice: effect of alpha-difluoromethyl ornithine, an inhibitor of polyamine synthesis.
abstract: Elevated levels of polyamines and gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase were seen in the liver of P388 leukemia bearing mice. There was also increase in specific activity of beta-Hexosaminidase and the B/A isoenzyme ratio. Administration of a 2% solution of alpha-Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) immediately after inoculation of tumor cells prevented increases in polyamines in liver, but did not have any effect on gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase. Almost normal ratio of beta-Hexosaminidase B to A was maintained during treatment. Endogenous ornithine level was not altered both in treated and untreated mice. However, proline level was elevated in liver of untreated mice and DFMO prevented this increase. Glutathione levels were altered both by leukemia and DFMO in the host liver. The effect of drug was more prominent in the early stages rather than during terminal stages of leukemic growth.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000518:Eflornithine; D005260:Female; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D006596:Hexosaminidases / Q000378:metabolism; D007941:Leukemia P388 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D007942:Leukemia, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D009952:Ornithine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011073:Polyamines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011392:Proline / Q000378:metabolism; D001619:beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011073:Polyamines; D011392:Proline; D009952:Ornithine; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D006596:Hexosaminidases; D001619:beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases; D005978:Glutathione; D000518:Eflornithine