A useful procedure for detection of polyamines in biological samples as a potential diagnostic tool in cancer diagnosis

Sensitive analysis of polyamines by micellar-electrokinetic chromatography with laser-induced fluorescence (MEKC-LIF) in mineral media samples

A micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) method coupled with laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection was developed and validated for the determination of five aliphatic polyamines in mineral media samples. Since polyamines lack inherent UV chromophores or fluorophores, fluorescence detection was enhanced using precapillary derivatization with fluorescein isothiocyanate isomer I (FITC). Key parameters affecting the derivatization, including reagent concentration, reaction time, and temperature, were optimized to improve sensitivity. Under optimal conditions, with a background electrolyte (BGE) of 20 mM borax and 20 mM SDS, polyamines were successfully separated, achieving limits of detection as low as 0.03 μM for cadaverine and 0.09 μM for putrescine, spermine, spermidine, and norspermidine. The method demonstrated the importance of borate complexation and the use of anionic surfactants for improving both sweeping and fluorescence signal intensity. The MEKC-LIF method was applied to analyze polyamines in mineral media from in vitro cultures of Arabidopsis thaliana and Pectobacterium betavasculorum, grown individually and in co-culture. Results showed that bacteria can synthesize or degrade polyamines, suggesting their importance in plant-bacteria interactions. The method enables sensitive analysis of polyamine metabolism, and its use provides insights into inter-kingdom communication.

The role of 1-Deoxysphingolipids and Polyamines in the pathogenesis of placental syndrome

BACKGROUND

Placental syndrome, mainly composed of preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction, has an impact on the health of mother and baby dyads. While impaired placentation is central to their pathophysiology, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This study investigates the association between placental syndrome and metabolic alterations in 1-deoxysphingolipids (1-deoxySLs) and polyamines, along with their regulatory enzymes.

METHODS

This prospective case-control study involved 26 healthy pregnant women and 17 with placental syndrome. Blood samples were collected from maternal, uterine venous, and umbilical cord veins. Levels of 1-deoxySL, spermine, and spermidine, as well as related enzymes of polyamine metabolism such as ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT), polyamine oxidase (PAO), and spermine oxidase (SMO), were measured using the techniques of LC-MS and ELISA, respectively.

RESULTS

Women with placental syndrome had significantly higher levels of 1-deoxySL, spermine, and spermidine in all blood samples compared to the healthy pregnancy group. Additionally, ODC and SSAT levels were reduced significantly in the placental syndrome group, while PAO and SMO levels showed no significant differences. Strong positive correlations were found between the studied enzymes and biomolecules in healthy pregnancies, which were notably weaker in the placental syndrome group.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates significantly altered levels of 1-deoxySL and polyamines, with corresponding enzyme activity changes, in placental syndrome compared to healthy pregnancies. The disrupted correlations between these biomolecules suggest alterations in their metabolic pathways and potential utility as biomarkers. Further mechanistic studies are warranted to elucidate their role in placental syndrome pathophysiology.

Recent Advances in Fluorescent Methods for Polyamine Detection and the Polyamine Suppressing Strategy in Tumor Treatment

The biogenic aliphatic polyamines (spermine, spermidine, and putrescine) are responsible for numerous cell functions, including cell proliferation, the stabilization of nucleic acid conformations, cell division, homeostasis, gene expression, and protein synthesis in living organisms. The change of polyamine concentrations in the urine or blood is usually related to the presence of malignant tumors and is regarded as a biomarker for the early diagnosis of cancer. Therefore, the detection of polyamine levels in physiological fluids can provide valuable information in terms of cancer diagnosis and in monitoring therapeutic effects. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in fluorescent methods for polyamine detection (supramolecular fluorescent sensing systems, fluorescent probes based on the chromophore reaction, fluorescent small molecules, and fluorescent nanoparticles). In addition, tumor polyamine-suppressing strategies (such as polyamine conjugate, polyamine analogs, combinations that target multiple components, spermine-responsive supramolecular chemotherapy, a combination of polyamine consumption and photodynamic therapy, etc.) are highlighted. We hope that this review promotes the development of more efficient polyamine detection methods and provides a comprehensive understanding of polyamine-based tumor suppressor strategies.

Discrimination between Pancreatic Cancer, Pancreatitis and Healthy Controls Using Urinary Polyamine Panel

BACKROUND

Polyamines play an important role in cellular proliferation, and the change in polyamine metabolism is reported in various cancers. We searched for urinary polyamine signature for distinguishing between pancreatic cancer, premalignant lesions of the pancreas (PLP), acute and chronic pancreatitis, and controls.

METHODS

Patients and controls were prospectively recruited in three Finnish hospitals between October 2013 and June 2016. The patients provided a urine sample at the time of the diagnosis. The panel of 14 polyamines was obtained in a single run with mass spectrometry. The polyamine concentrations were analysed with quadratic discriminant analysis and cross-validated with leave-one-out cross-validation.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight patients with pancreatic cancer, 36 with acute pancreatitis, 18 with chronic pancreatitis and 7 with PLP were recruited, as were 53 controls. The combination of 4 polyamines - acetylputrescine, diacetylspermidine, N⁸-acetylspermidine and diacetylputrescine - distinguished pancreatic cancer and PLP from controls (sensitivity = 94%, specificity = 68% and AUC = 0.88). The combination of diacetylspermidine, N8-acetylspermidine and diacetylspermine distinguished acute pancreatitis from controls (sensitivity = 94%, specificity = 92%, AUC = 0.98). The combination of acetylputrescine, diacetylspermidine and diacetylputrescine distinguished chronic pancreatitis from controls (sensitivity = 98%, specificity = 71%, AUC = 0.93).

CONCLUSIONS

Optimally selected urinary polyamine panels discriminate between pancreatic cancer and controls, as well as between acute and chronic pancreatitis and controls.

A preliminary study procedure for detection of polyamines in plasma samples as a potential diagnostic tool in prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Many scientific contributions recognize polyamines as important biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Several authors have suggested the use of LC/MS instruments as an elective method for their measurement, providing good detection limits and specificity; however, many of these procedures suffer from long chromatographic run times, high detection limits and lengthy and expensive sample pre-treatment steps.

METHODS

UHPLC coupled with high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC/Orbitrap) was set up for the identification and separation ofpolyamines, together with some of their metabolites and catabolites, in the plasma of healthy and prostate cancer human patients. Thirteen metabolites were measured in deproteinized plasma samples through a new analytical approach known as the parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) for targeted quantitative analysis.

RESULTS

The calibration curves were linear and R2 ranged from 0.9913 to 0.9995 for all analytes. LOQ values are between 0.382 and 25 ng mL^-1 and LOD values are between 0.109 and 7.421 ng mL^-1. The method shows an accuracy and precision for intra-day and inter-day < 15% RSD and R.E.% for all the QC samples. The matrix effect calculated at different concentration levels did not exceed 15%.

CONCLUSIONS

The method developed provides rapid, easy and robust identification and measurement of a wide range of polyamines, and some of their metabolites that can be evaluated as biomarkers to predict the clinical features of prostate cancer patients, avoiding invasive diagnostic procedures.

Detection of biogenic polyamines in blood of patients with breast cancer

The main threat of cancer diseases is their spreading throughout the population of many countries of the world and the complexity of their diagnostics at the early stages. Because of that, search and development of the latest diagnostic methods for oncological diseases which would allow them to be diagnosed more precisely and rapidly is going on. The objective of the study was developing a method for qualitative and quantitative analysis of polyamines as potential tumour markers in blood serum of patients with breast cancer using a newly created immune biosensor based on the effect of surface plasmon resonance (SPR). In the process of the study we used basics of immune analysis, methods of biosensor analysis with preliminary modification of biosensor analytical surface with certain reagents, such as protein A and BSA, for better orientation of the sensitive layer made from antibodies. During the study 30 samples of blood serum were analyzed, 21 of which were obtained from the patients with breast cancer and 9 samples were normal, taken from healthy people and used as controls. Analysis of blood serum samples was made, using previously created calibration curve, based on polyamine solutions in concentrations from 5 ng/mL to 1 µg/mL. It allowed determination of the presence of polyamines in blood samples and approximate concentration of polyamines comparing resonance angle shift in calibration curve and blood samples. According to the obtained results, the concentration of polyamines exceeded their physiological levels and was in the range of 21.3–125.1 ng/mL. The proposed approach allows one to determine the presence and approximate concentrations of polyamines in range from 5 ng/mL to 1 µg/mL in samples of blood serum of patients with breast cancer which correlates with tumour size and the age of the patients.

Polyamines in Microalgae: Something Borrowed, Something New

Microalgae of different evolutionary origins are typically found in rivers, lakes, and oceans, providing more than 45% of global primary production. They provide not only a food source for animals, but also affect microbial ecosystems through symbioses with microorganisms or secretion of some metabolites. Derived from amino acids, polyamines are present in almost all types of organisms, where they play important roles in maintaining physiological functions or against stress. Microalgae can produce a variety of distinct polyamines, and the polyamine content is important to meet the physiological needs of microalgae and may also affect other species in the environment. In addition, some polyamines produced by microalgae have medical or nanotechnological applications. Previous studies on several types of microalgae have indicated that the putative polyamine metabolic pathways may be as complicated as the genomes of these organisms, which contain genes originating from plants, animals, and even bacteria. There are also several novel polyamine synthetic routes in microalgae. Understanding the nature of polyamines in microalgae will not only improve our knowledge of microalgal physiology and ecological function, but also provide valuable information for biotechnological applications.