Cystic fibrosis: decreased conjugation and excretion of [14C]spermidine.

Free and conjugated [14C]spermidine were measured in plasma samples from normal individuals 
and cystic fibrosis patients. Within 4 minutes, the 14C-labeled material in 
the plasma from normal individuals was 70 percent conjugated compared to 
no detectable conjugation by cystic fibrosis patients. Further, the patients excreted 
only 11 to 13 percent of the [14C]spermidine in their urine 
within 72 hours whereas normal excretion was 60 to 76 percent. 
In both cases, the labeled material was in a conjugated form. 
