title: Polyamines found in the inflamed periodontium inhibit priming and apoptosis in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) are exposed to high concentrations of polyamines in the inflamed periodontium and possess a transport system for taking up these compounds. Previous studies suggest that polyamines are involved in priming of the PMN respiratory burst by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and can stabilize DNA against degradation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether exogenous polyamines can modulate priming by TNF-alpha or delay nuclear changes associated with PMN apoptosis (programmed cell death).
  
  
  METHODS
  Isolated human PMNs were incubated with putrescine or spermidine in vitro. Superoxide generation was measured with a cytochrome C reduction assay, and apoptotic changes were assessed by fluorescence microscopy (after cell staining with acridine orange and ethidium bromide).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Incubation with 1 mM putrescine for 1 hour inhibited superoxide production by TNF-primed PMNs by 20%, but enhanced the production of superoxide by unprimed cells by 38%. Both effects were dose dependent and statistically significant (P <0.03, repeated measures ANOVA and Dunnett's test). Spermidine had no significant effects on PMN oxidative function. With regard to apoptosis, 1 mM putrescine or spermidine produced a statistically significant reduction in the proportion of apoptotic PMNs within 6 to 9 hours (P <0.05). In cells incubated for 7 hours with 300 microM putrescine or spermidine, the proportion of apoptotic cells was approximately 30% lower than in untreated controls (P <0.05, Dunnett's test). The delay of apoptosis by spermidine was less profound than that produced by TNF-alpha and was not additive to the effects of this cytokine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Polyamines could potentially impair the priming of PMN oxidative function by TNF-alpha at sites where this cytokine is present. In the absence of TNF-alpha, polyamines could enhance PMN superoxide release and enhance the maintenance of PMN function in the periodontal pocket.
authors: Section of Periodontology, College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University Health Sciences Center, Columbus 43210, USA.
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Ratasirayakorn
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Leone
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Leblebicioglu
authors: J D
authors: JD
authors: Walters
mesh_terms: D000165:Acridine Orange; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D015317:Biogenic Polyamines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects; D003574:Cytochrome c Group / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004996:Ethidium; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006801:Humans; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction / Q000187:drug effects; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D011700:Putrescine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016897:Respiratory Burst / Q000187:drug effects*; D013095:Spermidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D015317:Biogenic Polyamines; D003574:Cytochrome c Group; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D013481:Superoxides; D004996:Ethidium; D000165:Acridine Orange; D013095:Spermidine; D011700:Putrescine