SIRT1 protein level and activity decrease in insulin resistant podocytes.
SIRT1 downregulation inhibits AMPK, but not Akt activity in podocytes.
SIRT1 downregulation abolishes the effect of insulin on glucose uptake.
Insulin-dependent increase of AMPK activity was suppressed in SIRT1-depleted cells.
Treatments activating SIRT1 and AMPK may improve insulin resistance of podocytes.