SIRT1 mRNA Expression May Be Associated With Energy Expenditure and Insulin Sensitivity

OBJECTIVE Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is implicated in the regulation of mitochondrial function, energy metabolism, and insulin sensitivity in rodents. No studies are available in humans to demonstrate that SIRT1 expression in insulin-sensitive tissues is associated with energy expenditure and insulin sensitivity. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Energy expenditure (EE), insulin sensitivity, and SIRT1 mRNA adipose tissue expression ( n = 81) were measured by indirect calorimetry, hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, and quantitative RT-PCR in 247 nondiabetic offspring of type 2 diabetic patients. RESULTS High EE during the clamp ( r = 0.375, P = 2.8 × 10 −9 ) and high ΔEE (EE during the clamp − EE in the fasting state) ( r = 0.602, P = 2.5 × 10 −24 ) were associated with high insulin sensitivity. Adipose tissue SIRT1 mRNA expression was significantly associated with EE ( r = 0.289, P = 0.010) and with insulin sensitivity ( r = 0.334, P = 0.002) during hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. Furthermore, SIRT1 mRNA expression correlated significantly with the expression of several genes regulating mitochondrial function and energy metabolism (e.g., peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor γ coactivator-1β, estrogen-related receptor α, nuclear respiratory factor-1, and mitochondrial transcription factor A), and with several genes of the respiratory chain (e.g., including NADH dehydrogenase [ubiquinone] 1α subcomplex 2, cytochrome c, cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV, and ATP synthase). CONCLUSIONS Impaired stimulation of EE by insulin and low SIRT1 expression in insulin-sensitive tissues is likely to reflect impaired regulation of mitochondrial function associated with insulin resistance in humans.