Slowing ageing by design: the rise of NAD+ and sirtuin-activating compounds

Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2016 Nov;17(11):679-690. doi: 10.1038/nrm.2016.93. Epub 2016 Aug 24.

Abstract

The sirtuins (SIRT1-7) are a family of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent deacylases with remarkable abilities to prevent diseases and even reverse aspects of ageing. Mice engineered to express additional copies of SIRT1 or SIRT6, or treated with sirtuin-activating compounds (STACs) such as resveratrol and SRT2104 or with NAD+ precursors, have improved organ function, physical endurance, disease resistance and longevity. Trials in non-human primates and in humans have indicated that STACs may be safe and effective in treating inflammatory and metabolic disorders, among others. These advances have demonstrated that it is possible to rationally design molecules that can alleviate multiple diseases and possibly extend lifespan in humans.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aging / drug effects*
  • Allosteric Regulation
  • Animals
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Enzyme Activators / pharmacology
  • Enzyme Activators / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • NAD / physiology
  • Resveratrol
  • Sirtuins / physiology*
  • Stilbenes / pharmacology
  • Stilbenes / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Enzyme Activators
  • Stilbenes
  • NAD
  • Sirtuins
  • Resveratrol