Yao et al. (2023), found through an experimental rat model of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) that the expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, metalloproteinase (MMP)-3, MMP-13, nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like-receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) and caspase-1 increased in the rats of the IDD group. The gene discussed is CASP1; the disease is intervertebral disk degenerative disorder.