Novel methods for treating and preventing acute and/or chronic pancreatitis are described. Additionally, novel methods for inducing liver regeneration are described. The methods may comprise administering to a patient an effective amount of a metabolically stable analogue of spermidine and/or spermine. Preferred compounds for use in the methods may include 1-methylspermidine, 1-methylspermine and 1,12-dimethylspermine.