Urinary spermidine levels in cases of carcinoma of the prostate. Preliminary report.

Normal ranges for urinary spermidine have been determined as 0.0 to 1.9 mg per 24 hours. In benign prostatic hyperplasia and urinary infection the urinary spermidine excretion ranges between 1.2 and 2.6 mg/24 hours. Significantly elevated excretion has been noted in 10 patients with prostatic carcinoma (4.5 to 11.4 mg). The high-performance liquid column chromatography was used as the method for separation of urinary polyamines and spermidine determination.