559 POLYAMINE (PA) METABOLISM IN CYSTIC FIBROSIS (CF)

Prior studies have shown that PA levels are elevated in blood components of CF homozygotes. We have studied urinary PA levels and 14C spermidine metabolism in controls and CF patients. The urinary PA levels in 7 CF homozygotes were 2-10 fold higher than in 8 heterozygotes and 6 normals (p 70 (N = 8). These data show that although plasma decay curves for 14C spermidine are similar to normals, the urinary excretion pattern suggests sequestration in CF patients with severe clinical disease. Further, polyamine levels are elevated in the urine of CF homozygotes and appear to correlate well with the patient's clinical status.