The Diet-Microbiota-Polyamine Axis in Intestinal Aging: Microbial Pathways, Functional Foods, and Physiological...

Area of Science:

• Microbiology and Human Physiology
• Aging Research
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Intestinal aging involves declining epithelial renewal, barrier function, and immune balance, linked to gut microbial shifts.
• Polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, spermine) are crucial microbial-host metabolites supporting intestinal health.
• Age-related decline in polyamine production contributes to intestinal dysfunction and inflammation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the diet-microbiota-polyamine axis in intestinal aging.
• To integrate evidence on dietary components, gut microbes, and polyamine metabolism.
• To evaluate strategies for enhancing polyamine availability and gut homeostasis.

Main Methods:

• Narrative review synthesizing experimental, animal, and human evidence.
• Focus on microbial polyamine metabolism, particularly by lactic acid bacteria.
• Analysis of mechanistic pathways linking polyamines to intestinal health.

Main Results:

• Dietary components shape gut microbial ecology and polyamine production.
• Polyamines are vital for epithelial regeneration, immune modulation, and barrier maintenance.
• Age-associated dysbiosis disrupts beneficial microbial-host polyamine interactions.

Conclusions:

• Modulating the diet-microbiota-polyamine axis is a promising strategy for healthy intestinal aging.
• Nutritional and microbial interventions (fermented foods, prebiotics, probiotics) can enhance polyamine levels.
• Targeting microbial polyamine production offers translational potential for gut health interventions.