Higher spermidine intake is linked to lower mortality: a prospective population-based study

Background

Spermidine administration is linked to increased survival in several animal models.

Objective

The aim of this study was to test the potential association between spermidine content in diet and mortality in humans.

Design

This prospective community-based cohort study included 829 participants aged 45-84 y, 49.9% of whom were male. Diet was assessed by repeated dietitian-administered validated food-frequency questionnaires (2540 assessments) in 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2010. During follow-up between 1995 and 2015, 341 deaths occurred.

Results

All-cause mortality (deaths per 1000 person-years) decreased across thirds of increasing spermidine intake from 40.5 (95% CI: 36.1, 44.7) to 23.7 (95% CI: 20.0, 27.0) and 15.1 (95% CI: 12.6, 17.8), corresponding to an age-, sex- and caloric intake-adjusted 20-y cumulative mortality incidence of 0.48 (95% CI: 0.45, 0.51), 0.41 (95% CI: 0.38, 0.45), and 0.38 (95% CI: 0.34, 0.41), respectively. The age-, sex- and caloric ratio-adjusted HR for all-cause death per 1-SD higher spermidine intake was 0.74 (95% CI: 0.66, 0.83; P < 0.001). Further adjustment for lifestyle factors, established predictors of mortality, and other dietary features yielded an HR of 0.76 (95% CI: 0.67, 0.86; P < 0.001). The association was consistent in subgroups, robust against unmeasured confounding, and independently validated in the Salzburg Atherosclerosis Prevention Program in Subjects at High Individual Risk (SAPHIR) Study (age-, sex-, and caloric ratio-adjusted HR per 1-SD higher spermidine intake: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.53, 0.95; P = 0.019). The difference in mortality risk between the top and bottom third of spermidine intakes was similar to that associated with a 5.7-y (95% CI: 3.6, 8.1 y) younger age.

Conclusion

Our findings lend epidemiologic support to the concept that nutrition rich in spermidine is linked to increased survival in humans. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03378843.

Association of polymorphisms in the endocannabinoid system genes with myocardial infarction and plasma cholesterol levels

AIMS

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between selected symptoms of chronic heart failure (myocardial infarction, plasma cholesterol level) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the FAAH and CNR1 genes.

METHODS

A case - control study involving 155 patients with chronic heart failure and 169 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. We detected SNPs 385 C/A (rs324420) in the FAAH and 1359 G/A (rs1049353) in the CNR1 genes using the polymerase chain reaction and restriction analysis. Genotype and allele frequencies were compared between patients and controls as well as between patients with and without myocardial infarction.

RESULTS

No significant differences in genotype or allelic frequencies between patients and controls were found (P > 0.05). Carriers of the FAAH A allele had a 2.37-fold increase in the risk of myocardial infarction (odds ratio 2.37, 95% confidence interval 1.36-6.93, P = 0.01). Homozygous carriers of genotype AA of CNR1 SNP 1359 had significantly higher plasma cholesterol levels than carriers of GG and GA genotypes in patients (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

The study results suggest a role for allele A of the FAAH 385 variant as a risk factor for myocardial infarction. Genotype AA of CNR1 1359 variant probably affects plasma cholesterol levels. Pharmacological intervention in this system could modify the therapeutic approach to certain cardiovascular disorders.