Expression of MMPª²2 in synovial fluid from patients with TMD

    SHEN Wei, JIAO Guoª²Liang, WANG Yongª²Hai, XZheng, XIOU Heª²Ming

    1Department of Stomatology, 2Center Laboratory, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang 050082, China

    ¡¾Abstract¡¿ AIM: To study the expression of MMPª²2 in synovial fluid in temporomandibular joints (TMJ) from patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD). METHODS: Samples from 126 TMJs in TMD patients were divided into three groups according to clinical examination and imaging findings: capsulitis and synovitis (C/S) group (n=24), internal derangement (ID) group (n=58) and osteoarthritis (OA) group (n=44). Samples from asymptomatic volunteers served as control group (n=32). The concentration of MMPª²2 in TMJ synovial fluid was measured using enzymeª²linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The levels of MMPª²2 in OA group (43¡À14) ¦Ìg/L and ID group (35¡À13) ¦Ìg/L were significantly higher than that of control group [(21¡À5) ¦Ìg/L] (P<0.0083). But there was no difference between C/S group (30¡À8)¦Ìg/L and control group. No difference was found between C/S group and ID and OA groups. CONCLUSION: MMPª²2 participates in the pathological destructive process of TMJ cartilage. The MMPª²2 level in synovial fluid of patients with OA and ID is significantly higher than that of healthy volunteers. This indicates that MMPª²2 is not only involved in the pathological destructive process of TMJ cartilage, but also is positively correlated with the lesion degree of TMJ, suggesting that MMPª²2 can be used as a biochemical marker for the lesion degree of TMJ. ......