Functions of sirtuins and their applications in sports science
Sirtuins(SIRTs) are nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide(NAD+) dependent deacetylases.Besides realizing epigenetic modification on genes via the deacetylation of lysine residues in chromatin histones,SIRT1 can regulate the activity of several critical transcription regulating factors and cofactors.Physiological processes mediated by SIRTs include oxidative stress response control,energy homeostasis control and exercise metabolism adaptation.Physical exercises preventing metabolic diseases or delaying aging may be closely related to SIRTs activity.Various ways of sports training and supplementing SIRTs activating small molecule active substances can enhance the SIRTs activity of such organs as skeletal muscle,fat,cardiac muscle and brain,and boost the fatigue resistance and energy metabolism adaptation capacities of the body.SIRTs may be potential biomarkers that characterize functional homeostasis.