Effect of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on polyamine metabolism in human monocyte cell line-U937

1. Pretreatment with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] caused an increase in ornithine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.17) (ODC) activity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human monocyte cell line, U937. 2. The increase in ODC activity was dose-dependent and preincubation-time dependent. 3. 26,26,26,27,27,27-Hexafluoro-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 was ca 7 times more potent than 1,25-(OH)2D3 in increasing ODC activity. 4. Pretreatment with 1,25-(OH)2D3 also potentiated the activity of spermidine/spermine-N1-acetyltransferase in LPS-stimulated U937 cells. 5. Putrescine levels in cells pretreated with 1,25-(OH)2D3 increased ca 2-fold 4-8 hr after LPS addition. 6. However, pretreatment with 1,25-(OH)2D3 did not cause any increase in ODC mRNA level, suggesting that 1,25-(OH)2D3 may modulate polyamine metabolism at the posttranscriptional level rather than the transcriptional step.