Protection of articular cartilage from degeneration by injection of transforming growth factor-beta in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis

Objective. This study aimed to examine the effect of injection of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) on articular cartilage in osteoarthritic temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Study design. Disc perforation was performed bilaterally in 24 rabbits to induce osteoarthritis (OA). The right joint was injected with TGF-beta as experimental groups, and the left joint with physiologic saline as control. Animals were killed at different intervals. Histology and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was performed for comparison. Results. All joints showed OA-like changes, but the degree in the experimental was significantly less severe than in the control. At 12 weeks a significantly greater expression of aggrecan and collagen type II was found in the experimental compared with the control joints. However, no difference in either anabolic or catabolic genes was found between the two groups at 24 weeks. Conclusions. Transforming growth factor beta may have a potential benefit in protecting articular cartilage during the development of TMJ OA. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2009; 108: 335-340)