[Statement on polyamines].

Polyamines are ubiquitous substances. Their intracellular concentration is controlled quickly and rigorously by extremely sophisticated systems. It depends on metabolism and cellular permeability. Polyamines act as structural and functional elements in the cell (nucleic acid conformation, cytoskeleton, radioprotection, apoptosis, proliferation and differentiation of cells...). They also play a role in various diseases (origin of food allergy, cancers...). They present a great therapeutic interest (oncology, molecular transfer to cell nucleus, transfer across the blood-brain barrier, parasitosis, effects on NMDA and GABA receptors in the central nervous system...).