Scientific Names: N1-(3-Aminopropyl)butane-1,4-diamine
Spermidine, a significant polyamine compound, has a pivotal role in various metabolic processes in organisms. Originally discovered in semen, this aliphatic polyamine is present in ribosomes and living tissues. Its synthesis is catalyzed by spermidine synthase (SPDS) from putrescine, making it a precursor to other polyamines like spermine. Spermidine is integral in synchronizing a host of biological processes, including maintaining membrane potential and regulating intracellular pH and volume. It influences Ca2+ influx through the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, associated with the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and the cGMP/PKG pathway, affecting Na+, K+-ATPase activity in the cerebral cortex.
Notably, spermidine is recognized for its potential as a longevity agent in mammals, primarily due to its role in promoting autophagy, a cellular maintenance mechanism. It may act through the MAPK pathway by inhibiting Raf phosphorylation or by affecting cytosolic autophagy-related protein acetylation. Beyond autophagy, spermidine contributes to reducing inflammation, regulating lipid metabolism, and controlling cell growth, proliferation, and death. As levels of spermidine decrease with age, correlating with age-related diseases, dietary intake of spermidine-rich foods like soybeans, chicken liver, green peas, corn, shellfish, and blue cheese is encouraged. Spermidine is found in particularly high quantities in soybeans, wheat germ, cheese, and ground beef. Spermidine's efficacy in lifespan extension, observed across various species, further underscores its potential in maintaining cellular health and mitigating age-related health declines.