Spermidine-induced glycoprotein fucosylation in immature rat intestine

Differential effect of dietary spermine on alkaline phosphatase activity in jejunum and ileum of unweaned rats

Spermine is a low molecular weight polyamine involved in the postnatal maturation of the gut. When it is administered orally to suckling rats it induces the maturation of their spleen, liver, pancreas, and small intestine. We showed that this polyamine modulates differently the activity of alkaline phosphatase in jejunum and ileum in suckling rat. In 14-day-old rat which had received spermine orally for 3 days, once daily, an increase of alkaline phosphatase activity in the jejunum and a decrease of this activity in the ileum was observed. Alkaline phosphatase was located at the bottom of the villus in the control jejunum and in the whole length of the villus in spermine-treated rats. On the contrary, in ileum of controls, this enzyme was present in the whole length of the villus but disappeared in the spermine-treated animals. An enzyme mass shift was observed in the small intestine after spermine administration. Spermine administration did not change the expression of genes coding for alkaline phosphatase, suggesting a post-transcriptional modification.

Dietary polyamines and non-neoplastic growth and disease

This review presents the data that are now available concerning the effects of dietary polyamines at either postnatal or adult stages in non-neoplastic growth and disease. Polyamines provided by food have a potential role in growth and development of the digestive system in neonatal mammals (and fishes). In humans, this property could be of importance in preventing the appearance of food allergies. Dietary polyamines also seem necessary for the maintenance of normal growth and general properties of adult digestive tract. Their possible therapeutic effects have been investigated in gastric, intestinal, and, more recently, whole-body healing.