Key points from article :
Sirtuins have been a hot topic in aging research - largely undeservedly as it turned out.
They are producing knowledge rather than applications that can influence human lifespan.
This path is not likely to deliver meaningful extension of human life in time to matter to us.
Calorie restriction is noted to boost levels of SIRT3, and SIRT3 is thought to promote antioxidant activity in cells.
Among young mice, the absence of SIRT3 made no difference.
Aged two, SIRT3-deficient mice had significantly fewer blood stem cells and decreased ability to regenerate new blood cells.
In young cells, the blood stem cells are functioning well and have relatively low levels of oxidative stress.
As oxidative stress levels build up we need SIRT3 to kick in to boost the anti-oxidant system.
However, SIRT3 levels also drop with age.
Boosting SIRT3 levels rejuvenated the aged blood stem cells, leading to improved production of blood cells.
Research by University of California, Berkeley published in Cell Reports.
