Spermidine: Difference between revisions

Apart from its role in autophagy, spermidine has been observed to contribute to cardiovascular health. A study demonstrated that oral supplementation of spermidine (as well as spermine) extended the lifespan of mice and exerted cardioprotective effects, reducing cardiac hypertrophy and preserving diastolic function in old mice. Moreover, spermidine feeding enhanced cardiac autophagy, mitophagy, and mitochondrial respiration, also improving the mechano-elastical properties of cardiomyocytes in vivo. In a model of hypertension-induced congestive heart failure, spermidine feeding reduced systemic blood pressure, prevented cardiac hypertrophy and a decline in diastolic function, thus delaying the progression to heart failure. High levels of dietary spermidine in humans, as assessed from food questionnaires, correlated with reduced blood pressure and a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease<ref name="Eisenberg2016"/>.