Longitudinal association of dietary spermidine with hepatic function indexes and cardiometabolic traits in older adults with metabolic syndrome.

purposeSpermidine administration ameliorates hepatic steatosis and cardiometabolic dysfunction in animal models. However, evidence in humans remains limited. We aimed to explore the 1-year longitudinal associations between changes in dietary spermidine intake and changes in hepatic function indexes and cardiometabolic traits in overweight and obese older adults with metabolic syndrome.

methodsWe used baseline and 1-year follow-up data from 2664 participants from the PREDIMED-Plus trial. Dietary spermidine intake was estimated using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Time series clustering identified temporal patterns of 1-year change in spermidine intake. Linear mixed-effects models assessed the associations between spermidine intake clusters and changes in hepatic and cardiometabolic markers.

resultsThree distinct spermidine intake patterns were identified across baseline, six months and 1 year follow-up. Cluster 3, characterized by the highest baseline and increased 1-year spermidine intake, was associated with mean reductions in fatty liver index (- 8.97 [- 9.96 to - 7.97], p-int < 0.001), hepatic steatosis index (- 1.88 [- 2.13 to - 1.63], p-int < 0.001), alanine aminotransferase (- 2.93 [- 3.83 to - 2.02] U/L, p-int < 0.05), aspartate aminotransferase (- 1.11 [- 1.76 to - 0.45] U/L, p-int < 0.05) and glycated hemoglobin levels (- 0.14 [- 0.18 to - 0.10]%, p-int < 0.01). Cluster 3 also showed, mean decreases in body mass index (- 1.26 [- 1.37 to - 1.15]), waist (- 3.72 [- 4.11 to - 3.32] cm) and hip circumference (- 2.33 [- 2.67 to - 1.99] cm) (all p-int < 0.001).

conclusionA 1-year increase in dietary spermidine intake was associated with improvements in hepatic function indexes and cardiometabolic traits in overweight and obese older adults with metabolic syndrome.