Sirtuin 1 affects the transcriptional expression of adipose triglyceride lipase in porcine adipocytes1

To investigate whether sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) could affect the transcriptional expression of the adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) gene, we treated porcine adipocytes with the general Sirt1 activator resveratrol (RES) with the Sirt1 inhibitor nicotinamide (NAM) or a knockdown of Sirt1 by Sirt1-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA). The RES (50 μM) activated Sirt1 gene expression and increased ATGL gene expression and glycerol release (P < 0.01). The Sirt1 inhibitor NAM or knockdown with Sirt1 siRNA further proved that the ATGL mRNA abundances were decreased (P < 0.05) after inhibition with Sirt1 in adipocytes. Furthermore, we found the opposite Sirt1 regulation pattern for PPARγ to that of ATGL in adipocytes. In summary, Sirt1 regulates the transcriptional expression of ATGL in adipocytes, and PPARγ appears to have an important role in this process. These results add to our understanding of the role of Sirt1 in adipose mobilization.