A naturally occurring compound called spermidine may help improve vaccine responses in some older adults, according to research published in Aging Cell and reported by ScienceDaily.
The study focused on immunosenescence, the gradual decline in immune function that happens with age and can leave older adults less protected after vaccination. Researchers said spermidine appeared to reduce some biological signs linked to that aging process.
Led by Dr. Katja Simon of the Max Delbrück Center and Dr. Ghada Alsaleh of the University of Oxford’s NDORMS, the pilot trial enrolled 40 healthy adults age 65 and older. After their third COVID-19 vaccine dose, participants took either six milligrams of spermidine or a placebo each day for 13 weeks.
According to the researchers, about one quarter of the participants had very weak antibody responses even after three vaccine doses. In the group that received spermidine, several markers of immunity improved, including higher antibody levels against SARS-CoV-2 and stronger neutralizing activity against several variants.
The team also reported lower markers associated with immune aging and increased autophagy, a natural cell recycling process. Researchers said the supplement appeared safe and well tolerated, but they cautioned that the study was small and that larger trials will be needed to confirm the findings.
