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Updated: Feb 4, 2026

Cecal Ligation and Puncture-induced Sepsis as a Model To Study Autophagy in Mice
Published on: February 9, 2014
Spermidine: a physiological autophagy inducer acting as an anti-aging vitamin in humans?
Frank Madeo1,2, Maria A Bauer1, Didac Carmona-Gutierrez1
1a Institute of Molecular Biosciences , University of Graz , Graz , Austria.
Abstract:
Spermidine is a natural polyamine that stimulates cytoprotective macroautophagy/autophagy. External supplementation of spermidine extends lifespan and health span across species, including in yeast, nematodes, flies and mice. In humans, spermidine levels decline with aging, and a possible connection between reduced endogenous spermidine concentrations and age-related deterioration has been suggested. Recent epidemiological data support this notion, showing that an increased uptake of this polyamine with spermidine-rich food diminishes overall mortality associated with cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Here, we discuss nutritional and other possible routes to counteract the age-mediated decline of spermidine levels.
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