At a Glance
- Researchers discovered that spermidine, a natural compound, influences aging by enhancing autophagy, a cellular recycling process, through intermittent fasting.
- Autophagy, which breaks down and recycles damaged cell components, is linked to aging and diseases like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative conditions.
- The study found that intermittent fasting raises spermidine levels in cells, activating autophagy and extending lifespan in various experimental models, including worms, yeast, fruit flies, mice, and human cells.
- Blocking spermidine production diminished autophagy’s benefits, highlighting its crucial role in the process and its potential impact on aging.
- These findings suggest that dietary practices like intermittent fasting help combat age-related diseases and improve healthspan by promoting autophagy through increased spermidine levels.
Researchers from the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB) in Greece, Paris Cité University in France, and the University of Graz in Austria have made significant strides in understanding how spermidine, a natural chemical compound, influences aging through intermittent fasting. Their findings, published today in Nature Cell Biology, explore how spermidine boosts a cellular process known as autophagy, which helps recycle cell components and may slow the aging process.
Autophagy is like a cleaning system inside cells. It involves breaking down and recycling damaged or unnecessary parts of the cell. Problems with autophagy are linked to aging and various diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative conditions. The research team found that intermittent fasting increases spermidine levels in cells. Spermidine then activates autophagy, which helps extend the lifespan of cells and organisms in experimental models.
The study tested its hypotheses using several models, including tiny worms, yeast, fruit flies, mice, and human cell lines. The scientists discovered that intermittent fasting raises spermidine levels, promoting autophagy and increasing lifespan. On the other hand, blocking spermidine production reduced the benefits of autophagy, demonstrating its critical role in the process.
This research shows how dietary practices like intermittent fasting can influence aging and cellular health. By enhancing our understanding of spermidine’s role in autophagy, these findings offer new insights into potential strategies for combating age-related diseases and improving healthspan and longevity.
References
- Hofer, S. J., Daskalaki, I., Bergmann, M., Friščić, J., Zimmermann, A., Mueller, M. I., Abdellatif, M., Nicastro, R., Masser, S., Durand, S., Nartey, A., Waltenstorfer, M., Enzenhofer, S., Faimann, I., Gschiel, V., Bajaj, T., Niemeyer, C., Gkikas, I., Pein, L., … Madeo, F. (2024). Spermidine is essential for fasting-mediated autophagy and longevity. Nature Cell Biology, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41556-024-01468-x
- Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas. (2024, August 8). Study reveals how intermittent fasting regulates aging through autophagy. Phys.Org; Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas. https://phys.org/news/2024-08-reveals-intermittent-fasting-aging-autophagy.html
