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Review
. 2021 Feb 5;9(1):8.
doi: 10.3390/medsci9010008.

Health-Promoting Effects of Dietary Polyamines

Rika Hirano  1   2 , Hideto Shirasawa  2 , Shin Kurihara  2
Affiliations
Review

Health-Promoting Effects of Dietary Polyamines

Rika Hirano et al. Med Sci (Basel). .

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to summarize the latest information on the various aspects of polyamines and their health benefits. In recent years, attempts to treat cancer by reducing elevated polyamines levels in cancer cells have been made, with some advancing to clinical trials. However, it has been reported since 2009 that polyamines extend the healthy life span of animals by inducing autophagy, protecting the kidneys and liver, improving cognitive function, and inhibiting the progression of heart diseases. As such, there is conflicting information regarding the relationship between polyamines and health. However, attempts to treat cancer by decreasing intracellular polyamines levels are a coping strategy to suppress the proliferation-promoting effects of polyamines, and a consensus is being reached that polyamine intake does not induce cancer in healthy individuals. To provide further scientific evidence for the health-promoting effects of polyamines, large-scale clinical studies involving multiple groups are expected in the future. It is also important to promote basic research on polyamine intake in animals, including elucidation of the polyamine balance between food, intestinal bacteria, and biosynthesis.

Keywords: food; health-promoting effect; intestinal bacteria; polyamines.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Sources of polyamines in animals.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Significance of isolating high polyamine-producing bacteria from foods.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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