Sirtuins
This week I decided to write about a topic I have been researching quite extensively: Sirtuins.
In a nutshell, Sirtuins are a specific type of enzymes that are involved in cellular metabolism. On of there many functions involves regulating nutrient sensing and subsequent utilization in organisms. Also, they help in regulating the metabolic rate.
Different organisms have different amounts of Sirtuin enzymes. The classification of each enzyme is based on its amino acid sequence. For instance, in humans, 7 different Sirtuin enzymes are found. Of particular interest to this weeks blog, I will be discussing SIRT-1 which is being heavily researched in pharmacolgical industries.
The research conducted on SIRT1 shows that its activation leads to :
- Decrease in glucose levels
- Improved insulin sensitivity
- Increased mitochondrial number and function
- Decrease in adiposity (lowers body weight)
- Improve in exercise capacity.
Indeed these are very interesting benefits induced by SIRT-1 activation. These positive findings may lead to compounds that may potentialy treat and/or prevent various metabolic diseases.
Stay tuned for next week as I will be talking about a dietary supplement that has promise in activating this enzyme.
Reference:
Elliott PJ, Jirousek M. Sirtuins: novel targets for metabolic disease.
Curr Opin Investig Drugs. 2008 Apr;9(4):371-8.
Guarente L. Sirtuins in aging and disease.
Cold Spring Harb Symp Quant Biol. 2007;72:483-8.
June 18, 2008 - 5:58 pm MDT at 5:58 pm
Where can I get some SIRT-1? (I don’t want to have to drink red wine everyday to get it.)
December 23, 2008 - 5:06 am MDT at 5:06 am
Interesting article. I found some more information <a>here</a>
December 23, 2008 - 5:07 am MDT at 5:07 am
If you click the second one down at <a>sourcearticle.info</a> there’s some more information
December 23, 2008 - 5:08 am MDT at 5:08 am
<a>sourcearticle.info</a> has a similiar post if anyone’s interested