Many studies have demonstrated that SIRT1, an NAD(+)-dependent deacetylase, reduces apoptosis in several different cells. However, the role of SIRT1 in apoptosis of disc nucleus pulposus (NP) cells remains unclear. The present study was performed to determine whether degenerative human NP would express SIRT1, and to investigate the role of SIRT1 in NP cells apoptosis. The expression of SIRT1 in disc NP of patients (>55 years) with lumbar disc degenerative disease (DDD) and the disc NP of patients (<25 years) with lumbar vertebra fracture (LVF) was assessed by immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analysis. The results showed that SIRT1 mRNA and protein levels were greater in LVF disc NP than those in DDD disc NP. Degenerative human NP cells were treated in culture with activator or inhibitor of SIRT1, resveratrol or nicotinamide, or SIRT1 small interfering RNA (siRNA), and cell apoptosis was quantified via flow cytometry. The rate of apoptosis was far fewer in resveratrol-treated NP cells than in SIRT1 siRNA-transfected or nicotinamide-treated NP cells. After SIRT1 siRNA was transfected, NP cells decreased phosphorylation of Akt, while resveratrol phosphorylated Akt. Treatment with LY294002 or Akt siRNA increased the rate of apoptosis. Our results suggested that SIRT1 plays a critical role in survival of degenerative human NP cells through the Akt anti-apoptotic signaling pathway.