Targeting hexokinase 1 alleviates NLRP3‐mediated inflammation in apical periodontitis: a laboratory investigation

The study investigated the involvement of hexokinase 1 (HK1) in the inhibition of inflammation mediated by the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) signaling pathway in the development of apical periodontitis (AP). The study found that glycolysis and the expression of HK1, NLRP3, caspase-1, and interleukin-1β were significantly upregulated in human AP tissues and in vitro models of inflammation. Inhibition of HK1-mediated glycolysis significantly reduced the expression of NLRP3, caspase-1, and interleukin-1β, suggesting that HK1-mediated glycolysis plays a crucial role in the development of AP via upregulating the NLRP3 signaling pathway. The study suggests that targeting HK1 may have potential clinical translation for preventing the progression of AP.