Cartilage matrix macromolecules in lavage fluid of temporomandibular joints before and 6 months after diskectomy

• The purpose was to investigate if antigenic fragments of aggrecan and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) are detectable by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in lavage fluids from the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and to examine if the relative content of these cartilage markers changes during development of osteoarthrosis (OA) after diskectomy. Lavage fluid was obtained at surgery and 6 months postoperatively in 13 patients. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging was without evidence of hard-tissue changes prior to surgery in all patients. In 9 of the patients, sufficient material for analysis was obtained at both examinations. Aggrecan and COMP were detectable in all but 2 fluids, in which the COMP levels were below detection limit. The aggrecan/COMP ratio increased in all 9 patients during the 6-month period, indicating increased release of aggrecan relative to COMP fragments. The changed aggrecan/COMP ratio possibly reflects increased cartilage turnover during development of OA. Changes compatible with OA were present on computed tomography in all cases at the 6-month follow-up. This study shows that the lavage procedure is feasible for obtaining synovial fluid from the TMJ for immunochemical analyses of tissue-derived macromolecules.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Odontologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Dentistry (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Radiologi och bildbehandling (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging (hsv//eng)

Keyword

cartilage;articular;enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay;osteoarthritis;proteoglycans;synovial fluid;temporomandibular joint diseases

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)