Sirtuin Gene: Anti Aging Gene?

If you're interested in anti aging, then you would have heard of the Sirtuin gene.

Why?

It's because this gene is believed to be related to the process of anti aging and that a newly discovered compound, resveratrol is able to activate it.

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The sirtuin gene or Sirt1 gene regulates its effects on humans and mammals through acetylation, and the equivalent gene has been found in a large variety of animals from bacteria to humans.

The equivalent in animal models, is the Sir2 (silent information regulator 2) gene, which is believed to cause increased lifespan in yeast, worms and flies.

1. Sirtuin gene and longevity:

When mice are born without Sirt-1 their lifespans are short and they die earlier.

In fruit flies and roundworms, increasing the levels of Sirt-1 causes increases lifespan. ~1

It is also believed that calorie restriction which is associated with longer lifespan, activates the Sirtuin gene. ~2

This study published in April 2009, also stated that:

"To date, resveratrol is the most potent natural compound able to activate SIRT1, mimicking the positive effect of calorie restriction." ~2

2. Sirtuin gene and glucose metabolism:

On the topic of the Sirt1 gene and mice studies, it has been found that:

"Overexpression of SIRT1 and several SIRT1 activators has beneficial effects on glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity in obese mice models." ~3

For example, in the Harvard studies by Dr David Sinclair on mice, it was found that resveratrol given to mice with a high calorie diet, reversed or prevented nearly all the metabolic pathways which are a consequence of a high calorie diet. ~4

The mice had lower levels of insulin, glucose and insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) which are normally seen in mice with a high calorie diet. Instead, they were like the mice given a standard diet.

In addition, their organs were indistinguishable to those fo the mice with the standard diet, in contrast to the mice with a high calorie diet but without resveratrol. ~4

3. Sirtuin and obesity:

Finally, it has been also thought that resveratrol, perhaps via its effect of activating the Sirtuin gene, has effects on weight loss and counteracting obesity.

It has been shown that resveratrol reduces the transformation of pre-fat cells to mature fat cells, and reduced fat storage. ~5

In addition, reduced the production of substances, interleukin 6 and 9, that may be linked to diabetes and cardiovascular disease, as well as increasing the production of adiponectin which may reduce the risk of heart attack. ~5

So there you have it.

As you can see, this gene the Sirtuin gene, may be involved in anti aging from a variety of angles.

It has a possible direct link with longevity, its effects on insulin and glucose metabolism and its effects on obesity.

This gene, through its activation by resveratrol and other Sirt-1 activators, may be the key to healthy aging.

Now, much research is underway on finding new and potent activators of this 'anti aging' gene,

In the meantime, the most potent activator of this anti aging gene, resveratrol, is getting a lot of attention itself.

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Resveratrol Supplements Reviews

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References:

1. www.genomics.senescence.info/genes/entry.php?hgnc=SIRT1

2. Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Patents. 2009 Apr;19(4):403-14. Sirtuin activators. Alcaín FJ, Villalba JM.

3. Nature Reviews Endocrinology. 2009 May 19. SIRT1 and insulin resistance. Liang F, Kume S, Koya D.

4. web.med.harvard.edu/sites/RELEASES/html/11_1Sinclair.html

5. www.endo-society.org/media/ENDO-08/research/Red-wines-resveratrol.cfm