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World J Diabetes. Dec 15, 2014; 5(6): 894-900
Published online Dec 15, 2014. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v5.i6.894
Sirtuins as novel players in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus
Kultigin Turkmen, Ali Karagoz, Adem Kucuk
Kultigin Turkmen, Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Erzincan University, 24000 Erzincan, Turkey
Ali Karagoz, Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Igdır State Hopital, 76000 Igdır, Turkey
Adem Kucuk, Department of Internal Medicine, Konya NE University, 42060 Konya, Turkey
Author contributions: Turkmen K participated in the design and writing of the review; Karagoz A participated in the design of the review; Kucuk A participated in the review process.
Correspondence to: Kultigin Turkmen, MD, Associate Professor, Head, Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Erzincan University, Başbağlar Mah., Terzibaba Cd, 24000 Erzincan, Turkey. mdkt2010@yahoo.com
Telephone: +90-538-4927877
Received: June 26, 2014
Revised: September 4, 2014
Accepted: October 1, 2014
Published online: December 15, 2014
Processing time: 170 Days and 2 Hours
Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a systemic and complex disease with micro and macrovascular complications that result from impaired metabolic pathways and genetic susceptibilities. DM has been accepted as an epidemic worldwide during the last two decades. A substantial gap in our knowledge exists regarding the pathophysiology of this metabolic disorder despite the improved diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches. Sirtuins are a group of NAD+ dependent enzymes that are involved in cellular homeostasis due to their deacetylating activity. In the present review, we aimed to discuss the role of associated sirtuins in the pathogenesis and treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; Sirtuins; Hyperglycemia; Hyperlipidemia; Resveratrol

Core tip: Diabetes mellitus has been accepted as an epidemic worldwide during the last two decades. Despite the diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches, the pathophysiology of this metabolic disorder and cellular defensive mechanisms are unknown. The maintenance of cellular homeostasis requires a well-organized network between glucose, amino acid and lipid metabolism. Sirtuins are a group of NAD+ dependent proteins that are involved in cellular homeostasis due to their deacetylating activity. Of these, sirtuin 1, -3 and -4 have been the most extensively investigated. In the present review, we aimed to discuss the role of associated sirtuins in glucose and lipid metabolism and in the pathogenesis and treatment of diabetes mellitus.