Background & Aims
The intra-articular application of hyaluronic acid has been used as a treatment for temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis, due to its viscosupplementing and anti-arthrosis effects. Based on the effect of hyaluronic acid, another joint molecule, called lubricin or proteoglycan 4, began to be studied. Lubricin would prevent the progression of osteoarthritis by improving the lubricating capacity of the synovial fluid and decreasing friction during movement. It is postulated that the synergistic effects between both molecules would contribute to maintain the joint lubricated and with an adequate viscosity, regulating inflammation processes and improving the rheological properties of the joint. This would contribute to the recovery of joint health becoming a bioregulator of the disease. The aim of this work is to evaluate the histological changes produced by intra-articular infiltration of hyaluronic acid supplemented with lubricin in an experimental model of TMJ osteoarthritis in rabbits.
Methods
An experimental design was performed in male Oryctolagus cuniculus rabbits, with induction of osteoarthritis through mono-iodoacetate. There were 4 experimental groups with 5 TMJs each: a healthy control group, a group with osteoarthritis, a group with osteoarthritis treated with hyaluronic acid supplemented with lubricin, and a group with osteoarthritis without receiving treatment. Histological analysis of the articular disc, mandibular condyle and articular fossa were performed by toluidine blue staining comparing the experimental groups. The OARSI scale was used to assess the degree of joint damage and descriptive analysis.
Results
In the osteoarthritis group treated with intra-articular hyaluronic acid supplemented with lubricin, cartilage and articular disc repair was evidenced in comparison with the osteoarthritis group and the untreated osteoarthritis group.
Conclusions
Treatment of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis with intra-articular infiltration of hyaluronic acid supplemented with lubricin has anti-arthritic effects on the articular cartilage and disc in an experimental animal model.
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Presenting Author
Veronica Iturriaga
Poster Authors
Veronica Iturriaga
PhD
Universidad de La Frontera
Lead Author
thomas Bornhardt MSc
Universidad de La Frontera
Lead Author
Raul Betancur DDS
Universidad de La Frontera
Lead Author
Daniela Flores DDS
Universidad de La Frontera
Lead Author
Nathalie Aguilera DDS
Universidad de La Frontera
Lead Author
Topics
- Specific Pain Conditions/Pain in Specific Populations: Orofacial Pain