Silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog(SIRT)1 is a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-positive dependent class 3 histone deacetylase that regulates bone and cartilage metabolism. SIRT1 influences bone development and reconstruction by potentiating osteoblast formation and bone growth and by inhibiting osteoclastogenesis. SIRT1 also activates mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate into osteoblasts. In cartilage homeostasis, SIRT1 is necessary to maintain normal cartilage remodeling. These functions of SIRT1 are related to wingless-type mouse mammary tumor virus integration site family signal transduction pathway, nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway, forkhead box O transcription factors, and parathyroid hormone. This review summarizes the function and mechanism of SIRT1 in the regulation of bone and cartilage metabolism. This review also describes the potential clinical applications of SIRT1.
