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GC–MS measurement of spermidine and putrescine in serum of elderly subjects: intriguing association between spermidine and homoarginine

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Abstract

Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) methods were developed, validated and used to measure serum spermidine (SPD) and putrescine (PUT) in 9 seropositive Helicobacter pylori (Hp +) and 18 seronegative Helicobacter pylori (Hp −) subjects (31–105 years). Homoarginine (hArg) was also measured by GC–MS. There were no statistical differences (unpaired t test) between the Hp + and Hp − subjects with respect to the serum concentrations of SPD (67.6 ± 40.3 vs. 93.7 ± 37.7 nM, P = 0.109), PUT (220 ± 139 vs. 236 ± 85 nM, P = 0.708) and hArg (1.60 ± 0.64 µM vs. 1.83 ± 0.74 µM, P = 0.554). Serum SPD and hArg concentrations correlated with each other (r = 0.426, P = 0.026, n = 27). The PUT/SPD molar ratio correlated inversely with the hArg concentration (r = − 0.406, P = 0.034, n = 27) and proteinic citrulline (r = − 0.487, P = 0.01, n = 27). These results suggest that SPD and PUT synthesis is associated with hArg formation and protein citrullination in healthy elderly subjects. The mechanisms underlying these associations and their significance remain to be elucidated.

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Abbreviations

AGAT:

Arginine:glycine amidinotransferase

AGM:

Agmatine

ECNICI:

Electron-capture negative-ion chemical ionization

GAMT:

Guanidinoacetate N-methyltransferase

GC–MS:

Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

hArg:

Homoarginine

Hp :

Helicobacter pylori

IS:

Internal standard

m/z :

Mass-to-charge ratio

ODC:

Ornithine decarboxylase

PAD:

Peptidyl arginine deiminase

PAR:

Peak area ratio

PFP:

Pentafluoropropionyl

PFPA:

Pentafluoropropionic anhydride

PUT:

Putrescine

SIM:

Selected-ion monitoring

SPD:

Spermidine

SPM:

Spermine

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Author notes

  1. Erik Hanff and Alexander Bollenbach contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Toxicology, Core Unit Proteomics, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany

    Erik Hanff, Alexander Bollenbach, Gorig Brunner & Dimitrios Tsikas

  2. Institute of Occupational Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany

    Bibiana Beckmann

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  1. Erik Hanff
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  2. Alexander Bollenbach
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  3. Bibiana Beckmann
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  4. Gorig Brunner
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  5. Dimitrios Tsikas
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Correspondence to Dimitrios Tsikas.

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The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Hannover Medical School and conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent was obtained from the subjects.

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Hanff, E., Bollenbach, A., Beckmann, B. et al. GC–MS measurement of spermidine and putrescine in serum of elderly subjects: intriguing association between spermidine and homoarginine. Amino Acids 52, 225–234 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-019-02786-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-019-02786-3

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