Scientists have developed a key new understanding of the role of a protein called SIRT1 and the substance NAD+ in the aging of our body cells. SIRT1 helps combat harmful substances that arise during normal cell processes but can accumulate and cause damage as we age. This can lead to problems in cells that contribute to age-related diseases.
It turns out that the extent to which SIRT1 is actually active does not depend solely on the amount of protein or NAD+ in the cell. There is a so-called ‘functional reserve’ of SIRT1, which means how well the protein can respond to stress and harmful substances. This reserve varies depending on the cell function and can decrease with aging, even though the amount of SIRT1 still appears sufficient.
In addition, it has been determined that simply increasing SIRT1 or NAD+ in the body does not always have the desired effect. This is because SIRT1 can change in various ways and has different forms, which are not always equally effective. Moreover, SIRT1 and NAD+ work within a complex network within the cell, making other factors also important for maintaining cell health.
These insights are important for the development of new treatments against the aging process and the associated diseases. Learning to measure and understand the functional reserve of SIRT1 could help in the future to discover better therapies that truly contribute to healthy aging.
Source: Josh Conway
