Agmatine inhibits the proliferation of rat hepatoma cells by modulation of polyamine metabolism.

Background/aims: Previous experiments have shown that agmatine, the product of arginine decarboxylase, is transported in competition with putrescine into quiescent rat hepatocytes, where it promotes several effects, including marked decrease of intracellular polyamines and induction of apoptosis. The primary aim of the present study was to assess the action of agmatine on transformed and proliferating hepatic rat cells.

Methods: To assess the effect of agmatine on hepatoma cells, analysis by flow cytometry, Western blotting, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, immunofluorescence detection of beta-actin and alpha-tubulin were performed.