Hypothesis: spermine may be an important epidermal antioxidant.
Spermine has been identified as a potent antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory agent. The compound is present in all organisms and all organs. The concentration is exceptionally high in skin, and I propose that spermine constitutes a prime defence against radiation damage. This hypothesis is substantiated by the fact that ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the rate-controlling enzyme of spermine biosynthesis, is induced by UVB-irradiation and oxidative stress. On the contrary, inhibition of ODC makes cells more sensitive to radiation damage. The antioxidative effect of spermine may be due to metal chelation and/or to prevention of superoxide generation from stimulated neutrophils. This paper reviews the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of spermine, and suggests that spermine is an important antioxidant of epidermis.
Institute of Biology and Geology, University of Tromsø, Norway.
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D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D004817:Epidermis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008954:Models, Biological; D009928:Organ Specificity; D011073:Polyamines / Q000378:metabolism; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*; D015595:Skin Aging; D013096:Spermine / Q000378:metabolism*
D000975:Antioxidants; D011073:Polyamines; D013096:Spermine