Recombinant human SIRT1 protects against nutrient deprivation-induced mitochondrial apoptosis through autophagy induction in human intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus cells

Introduction Nutrient deprivation is a likely contributor to intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. Silent mating type information regulator 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1) protects cells against limited nutrition by modulation of apoptosis and autophagy. However, little evidence exists regarding the extent to which SIRT1 affects IVD cells. Therefore, we conducted an in vitro study using human IVD nucleus pulposus (NP) cells.