The distribution in brain of the polyamines spermidine and spermine is described in the rat, dog, sheep, rabbit and in man. The distribution pattern was about the same in all the species, spermidine concentration being highest in areas rich in white matter. The concentration of spermine was lower than that of spermidine and showed less variation from area to area. Rat brain polyamine content was the same in rats killed by decapitation as in those killed by rapid freezing in liquid nitrogen and was also unchanged up to 48 h after the death of the animal.ALTHOUGH the polyamine now known as spermine was once called neuridine it is not generally recognized that spermine and the closely related compound spermidine are present in large amounts in nervous tissue. In recent times interest in the polyamines in brain has been re-awakened and their distribution in some areas of the brain of the rabbit (SHIMIZU, KAKIMOTO and SANO, 1964) , monkey (MICHAELSON, COFFMAN and VEDRAL, 1968), sheep and man (KREMZNER, 1970) has been described. The present communication gives the distribution of the polyamines in rat and dog brain and also gives that in the rabbit, sheep and in man in greater detail than hitherto described. Possible post mortem changes in brain polyamine content were also investigated. MATERIALS A N D M E T H O D SFemale Wistar rats weighing 140-160 g were killed by decapitation (unless otherwise stated) and the brains quickly removed and dissected at room temperature. New Zealand White rabbits weighing 2-2.5 kg were killed by cervical fracture and exsanguinated. The brains were removed and dissected at once. Sheep heads from animals stunned by electric shock and killed by exsanguination were obtained from the local abattoir. Dissection was completed within 12 h of the death of the animal. The dissection of brains from Beagle dogs which had been anaesthetized with thiopentone and killed by exsanguination was completed within 24 h of death. The human brains were also dissected within 24 h of death.Tissue samples weighing up to 1.5 g were homogenized in 5 ml cold 10% TCA in an M.S.E. top drive homogenizer. The homogenate was allowed to stand for 30 min and then centrifuged at 1500 g R E F E R E N C E S

Thirty-five patients with irritable bowel syndrome were randomised to receive treatment in a stress management programme or conventional therapy which included the antispasmodic Colpermin. The stress management programme involved a median of six 40-min sessions with a physiotherapist during which patients were helped to understand the nature of their symptoms, their relationship to stress and were taught relaxation exercises. Two thirds of those in the stress management programme found the programme effective in relieving symptoms and experienced fewer attacks of less severity. This benefit was maintained for at least 12 months. Few of those given conventional management had any benefit. A stress management programme would appear to be of value for patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

No abstract

No abstract

The efflux of previously accumulated [3H]‐spermine from brain slices was measured using a continuous perfusion system. The spontaneous efflux was biphasic, consisting of an initial rapid efflux followed by a much slower release. The slices were depolarized by the addition to the medium of high potassium concentrations, ouabain or veratrine. At concentrations greater than 30 mM, potassium evoked a striking increase in the release of [3H]‐spermine. Following uptake in the presence of 5.7 × 10−9M[3H]‐spermine, K+‐evoked release was dependent on the presence of calcium ions. Release of spermine after uptake at 5.6 × 10−8m or 5.0 × 10−7m was not calcium‐dependent. The calcium‐dependent, K+‐stimulated release of spermine was inhibited in the presence of diphenylhydantoin (5 × 10−3m) or ruthenium red (10−3 m). Following uptake of 5.7 × 10−9m [3H]‐spermine in a sodium‐free medium, the calcium‐dependent, K+‐stimulated release was significantly inhibited. Ouabain (10−4m) caused a large but calcium‐independent increase in the efflux of [3H]‐spermine. Veratrine‐induced release was less substantial but was increased in a calcium‐free medium. Release evoked by veratrine was abolished in the absence of sodium. These results are discussed with respect to a possible ‘neurotransmitter’ or ‘neuromodulator’ role for spermine.