Formation of N1-acetylspermidine in rat liver after treatment with carbon tetrachloride

A single intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride produced a significant increase in the concentration of N¹-acetylspermidine in rat liver. The concentration of N¹-acetylspermidine was maximal at the same time after injection at which other workers reported maximal conversion of spermidine to putrescine and maximal acetylase activity in liv liver extracts. N¹-acetylspermidine was not detectable in livers of untreated animals and at 45 hours after injection with monoacetylation of polyamines precedes their degradation by polyamine oxidases. Spleen, lungs and erythrocytes of untreated animals contained detectable amounts of the monoacetyl polyamines. Treatment with carbon tetrachloride did not produce changes in the concentrations of the monoacetyl polyamines in these tissues.