The sirtuin gene family includes 7 genes from SIRT1 to SIRT7. The sirtuin protein functions as a NAD+-dependent deacetylase. In particular, SIRT3, which is thought to be closely related to periodontal disease, is present in the mitochondria. The National Institutes of Health reported that older mice with SIRT3 deficiency had faster progression of periodontal disease compared to mice with other conditions.
The aim of this study is to elucidate the effect of SIRT3 on periodontal disease in geriatric periodontal disease and its mechanism. Therefore, a method was adopted to make mice with SIRT3 gene deletion (KO) and compare them with normal mice (WT). Since the experiment involved young (young) and old (aged), a comparative analysis of four groups: WT-YOUNG, KO-YOUNG, WT-AGED, and KO-AGE was conducted.
The results of the analysis showed that the alveolar bone content of WT-aged mice was lower than that of WT-Young mice, indicating that the function of SIRT3 decreased with age. Moreover, the alveolar bone of KO-aged (older age with SIRT3 deletion) mice showed the highest bone breakdown measurements, with an actual reduction in alveolar bone compared to the other four groups. Based on these results, it is suggested that the reduction of alveolar bone in hyperseptic peridyll disease may be due to the mechanism by which the decreased function of SIRT3 disrupts the metabolic balance of the bone, causing the bone to tilt in the direction of decomposition.
In addition, it was found that with the decline of SIRT3 function, the mitochondrial function in the gingival tissue was weakened and the damage by reactive oxides increased. This suggests that the decline in SIRT3 function has a significant impact on the progression of age-increasing periodontal disease.
Moreover, NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine nucleotide), which is present in the body's tissues, plays a role in promoting the activation of the sirtuin gene, including SIRT3. However, it has been learned that NAD+ decreases with age. To restore or increase NAD+ in the body, methods such as exercise or calorie restriction can be employed, but this can be accompanied by physical and mental stress. Therefore, the uptake of NMN, a new paradigm of next-generation anti-aging care, is of great interest as a precursor to NAD+, which can help restore and increase NAD+ levels.
NMN is also a component found in the cells of all living organisms, and similar to NAD+, its production gradually decreases with age. Although NMN can be ingested through food, etc., the amount is very small, so ingestion through supplements or intravenous injections is an efficient and common way.