Ornithine decarboxylase activity and polyamine content in normal renal tissue and in renal carcinoma

Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and contents of putrescine, spermidine and spermine were determined in cortical and medullary tissue and clear cell tumours in human kidneys. Medullary ODC activity was 75 +/- 9% (n = 6; p less than 0.05) of the respective cortical value. The ODC activity in renal tumours varied considerably but did not differ significantly from the respective cortical values. Similar concentrations of putrescine were found in cortex and medulla, but a 5-fold increase was found in the tumours (p less than 0.02). Significantly lower values (p less than 0.01) of spermidine and spermine were found in medulla when compared to cortex. No significant change was found for these amines in the carcinomas when compared with corresponding cortical tissue.