Emerging evidence indicates that defects in sirtuin signaling contribute to impaired glucose and lipid metabolism, resulting in insulin resistance (IR) and endothelial dysfunction. Here, we examined the effects of palmitic acid (PA) treatment on mitochondrial sirtuins (SIRT2, SIRT3, SIRT4, and SIRT5) and oxidative homeostasis in human endothelial cells (TeloHAEC). Results showed that treatment for 48 h with PA (0.5 mM) impaired cell viability, induced loss of insulin signaling, imbalanced the oxidative status (p < 0.001), and caused negative modulation of sirtuin protein and mRNA expression, with a predominant effect on SIRT3 (p < 0.001). Restoration of SIRT3 levels by mimic transfection (SIRT3+) suppressed the PA-induced autophagy (mimic NC+PA) (p < 0.01), inflammation, and pyroptosis (p < 0.01) mediated by the NLRP3/caspase-1 axis. Moreover, the unbalanced endothelial redox state induced by PA was counteracted by the antioxidant δ-valerobetaine (δVB), which was able to upregulate protein and mRNA expression of sirtuins, reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and decrease cell death. Overall, results support the central role of SIRT3 in maintaining the endothelial redox homeostasis under IR and unveil the potential of the antioxidant δVB in enhancing the defense against IR-related injuries.
Keywords: SIRT3; endothelial cells; insulin resistance; mitochondria; δ-valerobetaine.