A Possible Beneficial Effect of Sex Hormones on Vascular Aging through Expression of Sirtuin 1 Gene: A Narrative Review of the Literature

Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is a NAD+(definition)_dependent class III histone deacetylase, and a key gene linked to control of longevity, gene silencing, cell cycle progression, apoptosis, inflammation, stress resistance and energy homeostasis. SIRT1 is activated in response to low cellular energy stores and have been implicated in the control of many physiological processes including senescence(definition). SIRT1 also regulates steroid hormone signaling through a variety of molecular mechanisms and modulate pathways that modify steroid hormone receptors. Declining of sex steroid hormones, including estrogens and androgens, is involved in the aging process and age-related diseases such as sarcopenia, falling, osteoporosis, cognitive and mood disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and sexual disturbance. In this review, we will focus on the effects of sex steroid hormones on SIRT1 gene expression in endothelial cells and the advantages in the treatments with each hormone will be discussed in terms of understanding mammalian aging and longevity control.