Abstract
Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and contents of putrescine, spermidine and spermine were determined in cortical and medullary tissue and clear cell tumours in human kidneys. Medullary ODC activity was 75 ± 9% (n = 6; p < 0.05) of the respective cortical value. The ODC activity in renal tumours varied considerably but did not differ significantly from the respective cortical values. Similar concentrations of putrescine were found in cortex and medulla, but a 5-fold increase was found in the tumours (p < 0.02). Significantly lower values (p < 0.01) of spermidine and spermine were found in medulla when compared to cortex. No significant change was found for these amines in the carcinomas when compared with corresponding cortical tissue.