NLRP1 and NLRC4 inflammasomes are not responsible for the induction of inflammation in pulp tissues from carious teeth

INTRODUCTION: Inflammation is a risk factor for dental complications. Inflammasomes are a set of intracellular sensors which participate in the induction of inflammation. As the main factors involved in the induction of pulp inflammation in the carious teeth are yet to be clarified, this study was aimed to evaluate NLRP1 and NLRC4 expression levels in the inflamed and healthy pulps. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty inflamed and fifty healthy pulps were evaluated regarding the multiRNA levels of NLRP1 and NLRC4 using real-time polymerase chain reaction technique. RESULTS: Results demonstrated that expression of NLRP1 (P = 0.985) and NLRC4 (P = 0.581) did not significantly differ in inflamed in comparison to healthy pulps. NLRP1 (P = 0.989) and NLRC4 (P = 0.170) did not change in males when compared with females in inflamed pulps. Furthermore, NLRP1 (P = 0.133) and NLRC4 (P = 0.642) were not altered in males in comparison to females in healthy pulps. CONCLUSION: Although NLRP1 and NLRC4 are the main inflammasomes, it appears that they are not the responsible molecules involved in the human pulp inflammation in the carious teeth.