What Are Sirtuins And How Do They Relate To Aging And Disease?

Sirtuins are a family of proteins that have been identified as a critical factor in the regulation of aging and disease. They can be activated through dietary components and exercise and have been linked to numerous conditions, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. 

Sirtuins are a family of proteins that have been identified as a critical factor in the regulation of aging and disease (Wan et al., 2022). The sirtuin family, which consists of seven proteins, has been studied extensively over the past decade due to its role in cellular metabolism (Nogueiras et al., 2012), stress responses (Dai et al., 2018) , and longevity (Korotkov et al., 2021; Mouchiroud et al., 2013). Numerous studies have found that sirtuins can protect against age-related diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders (Leite et al., 2022), cancer (Aventaggiato et al., 2021), and metabolic diseases (Kane & Sinclair, 2018)).

Sirtuins are involved in regulating the aging process by modulating gene expression, metabolic pathways, and gene silencing (Mouchiroud et al., 2013; Zhao & Rusche, 2022). Sirtuins also play a role in DNA repair, inflammation, and cell death (Choi & Mostoslavsky, 2014). Additionally, sirtuins can regulate gene expression by modulating the activity of certain transcription factors, including FOXO3 and NF-κB, which are important for maintaining health and longevity (Fujita & Yamashita 2018).

The activity of sirtuins is regulated by dietary components (Malaguarnera, 2019), such as resveratrol, its more powerful cousin pterostilbene, as well as fisetin and curcumin. (NOVOS Core contains pterostilbene and fisetin). NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide), as contained in NOVOS Boost, and popularized by Harvard Medical School’s Dr. David Sinclair, is also well studied for its impact on NAD+ and by extension, sirtuins (Sinclair et al., 2018). These molecules may activate sirtuins, which may then help to protect against stressors, aging, and the consequences thereof. Additionally, exercise has been shown to increase sirtuin activity (Vargas-Ortiz et al., 2019), which can help to protect against aging and disease.

In terms of disease, sirtuins have been linked to numerous conditions, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Studies have found that sirtuins can protect against these diseases by modulating gene expression, controlling oxidative stress, and inducing cell death (Zhang et al., 2020; Zhao & Rusche, 2022). Additionally, sirtuins have been found to be involved in the regulation of inflammatory responses, suggesting that they may play a role in treating various inflammatory conditions (Mendes et al., 2017).

Overall, sirtuins have been found to be a critical factor in the regulation of aging and disease. By modulating gene expression, metabolic pathways, and gene silencing, sirtuins can help to protect against age-related diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, sirtuins can be activated through dietary components and exercise, providing additional strategies for protecting against aging and disease.

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References

1. Aventaggiato, M., Vernucci, E., Barreca, F., Russo, M. A., & Tafani, M. (2021). Sirtuins’ control of autophagy and mitophagy in cancer. Pharmacology & therapeutics, 221, 107748. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107748
2. Choi, J. E., & Mostoslavsky, R. (2014). Sirtuins, metabolism, and DNA repair. Current opinion in genetics & development, 26, 24–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gde.2014.05.005
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