Alterations of renal polyamine metabolism in mice with folic acid-induced chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) often follows acute kidney injury, leading to renal fibrosis and progressive renal failure. Spermine, a polyamine with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, helps reduce renal fibrosis and may serve as a biomarker for CKD progression. We used spatially resolved metabonomic analysis with AFADESI-MSI to examine polyamine distribution in kidneys of a folic acid (FA)-induced CKD mouse model. Results showed decreased spermine and increased spermidine levels, associated with elevated spermine oxidase (SMOX) and spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT) enzyme expression in CKD. These findings suggest that altered polyamine metabolism contributes to CKD progression and may provide targets for polyamine-based therapies.