The Tree of Sirtuins and the Garden of Cardiovascular Youth

Sirtuins (SIRTs) are a class of nicotine adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent proteins which participate in numerous molecular pathways involved in various age-related human diseases, such as type II diabetes, cardiovascular (CV) diseases and cancer. They have a major role in apoptosis, inflammation, oxidative stress and metabolism regulation, traits that have a great impact on CV physiology and pathology. Their unique profile of NAD+ energy dependency makes them an appealing target for human intervention in cellular and metabolic processes. This review focuses on the recent advances of SIRTs research aiming to shed light on the emerging roles of SIRTs in the pathophysiology of CV and metabolic diseases.