Polyamines and pancreatic growth induced by caerulein.

Activation of polyamine metabolism may be important to initiation of pancreatic cell growth. We are reporting that such activation did occur during pancreatic growth initiation by caerulein, a cholecystokinin analog. Maximal increases in total putrescine (319%), spermidine (63%) and spermine (50%) were observed 12, 96 and 96 hr respectively after the beginning of the caerulein treatment. This time period coincides with pancreatic hypertrophy and hyperplasia as characterized by increased cell mass and DNA content. Rates of pancreatic weight and DNA content increases were significantly correlated with total spermidine and spermine contents. These data suggest that polyamine biosynthesis is closely associated with pancreatic growth.