Lactobacillus reuteri ZJ617 attenuates metabolic syndrome via microbiota-derived spermidine

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a difficult-to-manage disease that poses a significant risk to human health. Here, we show that the supplementation of Lactobacillus reuteri ZJ617 ameliorates symptoms of MetS in mice induced by the high-fat diet. L. reuteri ZJ617 modulates host metabolism by interacting with the microbiome, resulting in the production of spermidine synthesized by the microbiota. L. reuteri ZJ617 serves as a source of substrates for the microbiota to synthesize spermidine, hence preventing the decline of bacteria responsible for spermidine production. Spermidine treatment mimics the metabolic effects of L. reuteri ZJ617, whereas pharmacological inhibition of spermidine biosynthesis in mice abolishes these benefits. Our findings reveal the mechanism by which L. reuteri ZJ617 alleviates MetS symptoms and provide support for its potential use as a probiotic for promoting metabolic health. Intestinal commensal bacteria are closely associated with metabolic health. Here, the authors show that Lactobacillus reuteri ZJ617 mitigates metabolic syndrome by supplying substrate S-adenosylmethionine for spermidine-producing bacteria to promote spermidine synthesis in intestine.