Inhibition of phorbol ester-induced polyamine accumulation in mouse epidermis by anti-inflammatory steroid

Application of the tumor-promoting phorbol diester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate to mouse epidermis causes a large increase in the activity of ornithine decarboxylase and in polyamine accumulation. Concurrent application of fluocinolone acetonide, an anti-inflammatory steroid that dramatically inhibits tumor promotion, resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-stimulated ornithine decarboxylase activity and the subsequent rise in spermidine levels. Spermine and putrescine levels were not greatly affected by fluocinoline acetonide treatment except that maximal putrescine values occurred later in time. Doses of the glucocorticoid as low as 0.1 μg inhibited the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced ornithine decarboxylase activity by as much as 50% and the rise in spermidine accumulation by 30% after coincident treatment of female Sencar mice.