Enhancing a longevity gene can prevent vascular dementia caused by cerebral infarction

  Japanese researchers reported in the new issue of "Stroke" that if longevity genes are allowed to work more actively in the brain, they can prevent vascular dementia caused by cerebral infarction. Vascular dementia is a severe cognitive impairment caused by ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke and other cerebrovascular diseases.

  Researchers from Japan’s National Cardiovascular Research Center and other institutions reported that SIRT1 is a deacetylase that is closely related to cell proliferation, differentiation, aging, apoptosis and metabolism. The SIRT1 gene encoding this enzyme is considered to be a longevity gene that can inhibit aging. The researchers increased the expression of the SIRT1 gene in the brain of experimental mice through genetic manipulation, and after the production of SIRT1 enzyme reached 2-3 times the normal level, the carotid artery of the experimental mice was operated on. I narrowed it down. The researchers found that although the carotid arteries of the experimental mice became thinner, it could keep blood flow in the brain at more than 90% of its original level.

  When the carotid arteries of normal experimental mice become thinner, the blood flow in the brain can only be maintained at about 70% of its original level. The researchers found that the increase in SIRT1 gene expression promotes the activity of the enzyme that synthesizes nitric oxide, thereby maintaining the activity of blood vessels.