Altered polyamine excretion in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Increased urinary levels of the polyamines, putrescine, spermidine, and spermine are present in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients. Alterations in excretion are detectable when based on nanomoles per milligram creatinine, micromoles per 24-hour urine collection, or nanomoles per kilogram body weight per 24-hour urine collection. Evaluation of creatinine levels in spot collections of urine versus 24-hour collections suggests a more consistent urinary creatinine in spot urines from DMD patients and normals, with wider variability in 24-hour specimens. We postulate that polyamines may be useful markers to evaluate disease activity and to screen for drug efficacy, as they have proved useful in cancer patients in assessing alterations in tumor kinetic parameters.