Pyroptosis Related Molecules are Significant for Cartilage Degeneration

Background: Pyroptosis is the highlight topic in inflammation. However, there is rarely research on relationship between pyroptosis and temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA), The aim of this study is to explore whether pyroptosis related molecules are significant for condylar cartilage degeneration and to verify the clinical effects of sodium hyaluronic acid (HA) treatment on TMJOA.Methods: Patients diagnosed as temporomandibular joint internal derangement (TMJID) without condylar defect and TMJOA with condylar defect were divided into two groups. Thirty patients in each group, and they were tested for pyroptosis related molecules via synovial fluid included interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), IL-18, nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 1 (CASP1) with Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（Elisa）. Eighteen cases in TMJOA group were tested again after twice HA treatment to evaluate HA’s therapeutic effects. Results: IL-1β, IL-18, NLRP3 and CASP1 were all positive in two groups, TMJOA patients with condylar defect had higher expressions of above molecules compared with TMJID patients (P＜0.05). IL-1β, IL-18, NLRP3 were decreased with twice HA therapy (P＜0.05), there was no significant difference in CASP1 with twice HA injections (P=0.549). Conclusions: Cell pyroptosis may be involved in condylar degeneration. HA could reduce part of pyroptosis molecules to relieve inflammation.