Salivary levels of NLRC4 inflammasome in different periodontal clinical status

Objective Nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor family CARD domain-containing protein 4 (NLRC4) has a critical role in the regulation of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), an important cytokine in the pathogenesis of the periodontal diseases. In this study, we aimed to evaluate levels of salivary NLRC4 inflammasomes in different periodontal clinical statuses. Methods The individuals with 20 periodontally healthy (healthy), 20 gingivitis, and 20 periodontitis were periodontally examined. Saliva samples were collected, after the clinical measurements (plaque index, gingival index, gingival bleeding index, probing depth, and clinical attachment level). The levels of salivary NLRC4, IL-1 beta, and interleukin 10 (IL-10) were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results The results demonstrated that levels of salivary NLRC4 (p < 0.01), and IL-1 beta (p < 0.001) were significantly higher in gingivitis and periodontitis than in the healthy group. No significant difference was salivary IL-10 levels between the groups (p > 0.05). Positive significant correlations among NLRC4 and IL-1 beta salivary levels and clinical parameters were detected (p < 0.05). Conclusion The findings of this study suggest that the NLRC4 is elevated in periodontal disease. Larger randomized controlled clinical studies are needed to use salivary NLRC4 levels as a potential marker for detecting the presence and/or severity of the periodontal disease.