Polyamine distribution in cellular compartments of blood and in aging erythrocytes.

Human blood was separated into pure preparations of erythrocytes, mononuclear leukocytes, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, platelets, and platelet free plasma. The mean concentrations of putrescine, spermidine, and spermine per 10(9) cells were found to be several orders of magnitude higher for leukocytes than erythrocytes. There was no significant difference between leukocyte types. Platelets and plasma had relatively low levels in proportion to the amounts contributed by erythrocytes and leukocytes to whole blood. Human erythrocytes were age-separated by density and the changes in polyamine concentrations in maturing erythrocytes were documented. There were highly significant statistical differences between young and old red blood cells for putrescine, spermidine and spermine. The clinical use of red blood cell polyamines as an indicator of the activity of the bone marrow in anemic states is suggested.