Micro X-ray computed tomography analysis for the evaluation of asymmetrical condylar growth in the rat

Authors– Nakano H, Watahiki J, Kubota M, Maki K, Shibasaki Y, Hatcher D, Miller AJ Objectives – To investigate the influence of forced lateral bite on mandibular growth, micro X‐ray computed tomography (CT) was used for the purpose evaluating condylar cartilage and cancellous bone formation in 10 male Wister rats (3 weeks of age). Settings and sample population – The rats were divided into two groups – experimental and control. In experimental group, an inclined crown was cemented onto the maxillary incisors to produce 2.5 mm shift toward the left side during mastication. Right–left differences in whole mandibular length, mandibular height, condylar size, trabecular structure of the condylar head and three‐dimensional (3‐D) finite element analysis were assessed using 3‐D images reconstructed from micro X‐ray CT scans when the mice had reached 21 weeks. Measurements and Results – Asymmetrical growth was found in the experimental group, in which the left condylar head became thicker and shorter than the right condylar head during development. When comparing the left and right condyles of the experimental animals, histomorphometric analysis from micro X‐ray CT showed that the bone volume (BV) of the cancellous bone, the surface area of the cancellous bone (BS), the BS/BV ratio, the BV fraction (BV/TV), and the trabecular thickness and trabecular number were less for the right condyle than for the left condyle. Conclusions – These findings suggested that artificial changes in the mastication do influence the growth of condylar head, condylar bone trabecular structure, and mineralization.     

体外培养的兔下颌骨髁突对机械压力的反应和变化

目的: 探索体外培养的下颌骨髁突组织块对机械压力的反应和变化。方法: 兔下颌骨髁突组织块分别在0（对照）、15和75 kPa机械压力下体外培养3 d,观察髁突的大体形态、组织切片,进行micro-CT扫描,分别采用RT-PCR和Western免疫印迹检测Ⅱ型胶原蛋白(COL2)、X型胶原蛋白 (COL10)、SOX9和MMP13的mRNA及蛋白表达。采用SPSS 16.0 软件包对数据进行统计学分析。结果: 15 kPa组,髁突关节面光滑,软骨呈白色,关节面中心受压后变平,但软骨仍完整。75 kPa组,髁突关节面变粗糙,颜色变黄、暗淡,关节面中央受压变平的面积更大,中心区域软骨破裂。镜下可见,15 kPa组的软骨层变薄,软骨细胞排列比对照组更紧密。75 kPa 组中,整个软骨层被破坏并与中心区域的软骨下骨分离。COL2和SOX9的表达在15 kPa压力下显著增加（P<0.01）,在75 kPa压力下显著下降。COL10和MMP13的表达在75 kPa压力下显著增加（P<0.01）。Micro-CT扫描结果显示,压力组的骨密度（BMD）、骨体积/总体积比值（BV/TV）和 骨小梁厚度（Tb.Th）显著增加（P<0.01）。结论: 体外培养的髁突组织块在15 kPa机械压力下保持完整性和功能,并发生适应性改建。75 kPa的压力对软骨产生破坏,软骨层受损、破裂并从软骨下骨处剥离,可能进一步导致骨关节炎的发生。     

肾上腺素受体信号在磨牙异常咬合致大鼠髁突软骨下骨丢失中的作用

目的:探索肾上腺素受体信号在磨牙异常咬合致大鼠髁突软骨下骨丢失中的作用。方法:采用正畸分牙法建立磨牙异常咬合大鼠模型(实验组)及对照组,对照及实验组大鼠分别接受腹膜注射生理盐水(溶剂注射组)或β受体阻滞剂普萘洛尔(普萘洛尔注射组)。用Micro-CT检测各组大鼠髁突软骨下骨密度及骨小梁结构学参数变化,用酶联免疫吸附法测定各组软骨下骨去甲肾上腺素浓度,用实时定量聚合酶链反应及免疫组化检测各组软骨下骨肾上腺素受体表达。结果:4、8周实验组软骨下骨密度、骨体积分数及骨小梁厚度均较其对照组降低,但其骨小梁间隙及去甲肾上腺素含量则较对照组增高(P<0.05);实验组大鼠髁突软骨下骨中Adrb2基因及蛋白的表达较其对照组增高(P<0.05),但Adrb1及Adrb3基因的表达在两组间无显著差异(P>0.05);普萘洛尔注射可显著逆转实验组大鼠髁突软骨下骨丢失,其软骨下骨小梁密度、骨体积分数、骨小梁厚度及间隙等参数均较溶剂注射实验组显著改善(P<0.05)。结论:异常的咬合力可通过激活β2肾上腺素受体信号促进髁突软骨下骨骨丢失。     

Changes in parathyroid hormone-related protein and 3-dimensional trabecular bone structure of the mandibular condyle following mandibular distraction osteogenesis in growing rats.

PURPOSE: Distraction osteogenesis (DO) is commonly performed for mandibular reconstruction during the growth period. We tested the hypothesis that parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) in mandibular condylar cartilage and underlying trabecular bone in growing individuals undergo changes in response to distraction forces. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight 6-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Animals underwent unilateral mandibular distraction using a distractor that we devised, and unoperated animals were evaluated as controls. DO procedure was performed: 3 days' latency period, 0.4 mm/day rate, total 4.0 mm. Changes in cartilage morphology, PTHrP activity, and 3-dimensional trabecular bone structure changes measured by micro-computed tomography were examined at 0, 2, 4, and 6 weeks of consolidation. RESULTS: A marked irregularity was noted in the superior portion of the distracted side's condylar cartilage that resolved after distraction ceased. PTHrP was more strongly expressed in the hypertrophic layer of condylar cartilage on the distracted side than in controls, up to 6 weeks after the end of distraction. Subchondral trabecular bone volume, percent bone volume, and trabecular number in the superior and posterior regions of the condyle decreased significantly by 2 weeks after distraction. These parameters returned to normal in the posterior condyle, but not in the superior part of the condyle by 6 weeks following distraction. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that unilateral mandibular distraction in growing rats causes temporary morphologic alterations of trabecular bone structure on the distracted side accompanied by increased production of PTHrP in the mandibular condyle.     

Distribution of mandibular trabeculae bone volume fraction in relation to different MOP intervals for accelerating orthodontic tooth movement:: A randomized controlled trial

ObjectivesTo investigate the effect of micro-osteoperforation (MOP) on the horizontal and vertical distribution of mandibular trabeculae bone volume fraction in relation to different MOP intervals during canine retraction.Materials and MethodsThis single-center, single-blinded, prospective randomized split-mouth clinical trial included 30 healthy participants aged 18 years and older, randomized into three groups of different MOP intervals (4, 8, and 12-weekly). Cone beam computed tomography images were taken to assess the bone volume fraction (bone volume over total volume or BV/TV).ResultsBV/TV was significantly reduced (mean difference: 9.79%, standard deviation [SD]: 11.89%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.77, 14.81%; P < .01) and canine retraction increased (mean difference: -1.25 mm/4 mo, SD: 0.79 mm; 95% CI: -1.59, -0.92 mm; P < .01) with MOP, compared to control sites. MOP significantly changed the vertical and horizontal patterns of trabeculae bone with lower values nearer to intervention sites. Only the 4-weekly MOP interval group showed significant decrease in BV/TV (mean difference: 14.73%, SD: 12.88%; 95% CI: 3.96, 25.50%; P = .01) despite significant increase in canine retraction rate for all interval groups. With the use of MOP, BV/TV was found to be inversely correlated to the rate of canine retraction (r = -0.425; P = .04).ConclusionsMandibular trabecular alveolar bone volume fraction was reduced and rate of orthodontic tooth movement increased with MOP, especially in the 4-weekly interval. However, this effect was limited to the immediate interdental region of MOP.     

FAM20C在小鼠下颌髁突发育过程中的时空表达

目的 观察小鼠髁突发育过程的不同阶段,FAM20C在髁突软骨中的时空表达特点,试探究其在小鼠髁突发育过程中的可能作用机制。方法 苏木精-伊红(HE)染色和改良番红O-固绿染色观察胚胎17.5 d和出生后0、7、21 d 4组小鼠髁突软骨及软骨下骨的形态学变化。免疫组化染色观察相应时间点FAM20C在小鼠髁突软骨组织中的定位及表达。测量FAM20C阳性表达的平均光密度值,并进行单因素方差分析。结果 HE染色和改良番红O-固绿染色结果表明：随着软骨内骨化的进展,髁突软骨细胞层长度减少,软骨下骨体积增加,下颌髁突体积增大;免疫组化结果表明：4组小鼠髁突软骨组织中均有FAM20C阳性表达,FAM20C主要表达于髁突软骨增殖软骨细胞层和前肥大软骨细胞层,少量表达于肥大软骨细胞层及软骨下骨层,随着髁突发育,FAM20C表达逐渐减少。统计学结果显示,各时间点FAM20C阳性表达差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论 FAM20C参与小鼠下颌髁突发育,可能通过调节髁突软骨细胞的增殖和分化在髁突形成中发挥重要作用。     

Assessment of aging characteristics of female condylar trabecular structure by cone-beam computed tomography

Objectives

This study was performed to analyze the aging-related changes of the female condylar bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular structure by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), and determine whether the condylar structure shows obvious changes after menopause.

Methods

The CBCT images of 160 female patients who met the inclusion criteria for the study were collected and divided into four groups by age (20–29 years, 30–39 years, premenopausal, and postmenopausal groups). Computer processing software CT-Analyser (Version 1.15.2.2+; SkyScan, Antwerp, Belgium) was used to measure the condylar BMD and related indexes, namely the bone volume/tissue volume ratio (BV/TV), trabecular number (Tb.N), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), trabecular structure model index (SMI), and bone surface area/volume ratio (BS/BV). SPSS 12.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used to analyze the radiographic findings and statistical differences.

Results

No significant differences were found between the bilateral condyles in each group (P?>?0.05). BV/TV, Tb.N, and Tb.Th of the condyle decreased with age, and the postmenopausal group showed significantly different values for each index compared with the other groups (P?<?0.01). Tb.Sp, SMI, and BS/BV of the condyle increased with age, and the postmenopausal group showed significantly different values for each index compared with the other groups (P?<?0.01).

Conclusions

With increasing age, the female condylar bone volume decreases, the Tb.N and Tb.Th decrease, the gap between the trabecular bone increases, and plate-like trabecular bone gradually transforms into a rod-like form. These changes are much more obvious in postmenopausal women.

     

Assessing Bone Type of Implant Recipient Sites by Stereomicroscopic Observation of Bone Core Specimens: A Comparison With the Assessment Using Dental Radiography

Background: The aim of the study is to determine if bone quality evaluation of surgically obtained bone core specimens using a stereomicroscope is reliable for determining bone quality at implant recipient sites. Methods: Bone quality was presurgically assessed in 122 edentulous ridges obtained from 62 patients using periapical radiographs and categorized according to the Lekholm and Zarb classification. During surgery, bone specimens were trephined, and bone types were immediately classified using a stereomicroscope. Microarchitectural characteristics of bone cores were evaluated after being scanned using microcomputed tomography (micro‐CT). Results: Bone types of implant sites categorized from radiography and stereomicroscope had statistically similar distribution but poor interrater agreement. Using micro‐CT, maxillae and mandibles showed significant differences in microarchitectural characteristics of bone cores. Bone volume (BV), total volume (TV), and trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) increased, whereas bone surface density (BS/BV) and open porosity (Po.[Op]) decreased in mandibular bone cores compared with those in maxillary bone cores. Moreover, micro‐CT values of BV/TV and Po.(Op) statistically correlated with bone types assessed by stereomicroscopy, particularly in mandibles (adjusted means of BV/TV of Type 2 to 4 versus Type 1 decreasing from ?9.88%, ?15.09%, ?29.31%; those of Po.(Op) ranged from 9.77%, 15.06%, 29.52% in an upward trend). However, such correlations were not found in maxillae or when bone types were classified using periapical radiographs. Conclusions: Caution is needed when using presurgical periapical radiographs to predict bone quality at implant recipient sites. Surgically preserved bone core specimens, whenever obtainable, might offer additional information to accurately assess bone quality, particularly at mandibular implant sites.     

Effects of a mandibular lateral shift on the condyle and mandibular bone in growing rats

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of mandibular lateral shift on the growth and morphology of the condyle and mandibular bone in growing rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A maxillary resin plate was designed to displace 4-week-old rat mandibles 2 mm to the left during closure. The plate was cemented, and the rats were killed after 2, 4, 8, or 12 weeks. Gross dimensions of the condylar head were measured. Radiographic films of the mandibles were exposed, and selected measurements were made. The newly formed bone in the condyle was evaluated with periodic acid and Schiff's reagent (PAS) staining. RESULTS: The length of the condylar head was greater on the ipsilateral side compared with the contralateral side. The experimental rats developed an asymmetric mandible, shorter in horizontal dimension but longer in the vertical dimension on the ipsilateral side. The mandibular growth direction was also affected, with the mandible on the ipsilateral side growing in a more anterior and superior direction. The amount of newly formed bone was greater in the superior subchondral region but lower in the posterior subchondral region on the ipsilateral side compared with the contralateral side. CONCLUSIONS: Mechanical stimuli delivered by a functional shift produce a series of morphological and histological responses in the condyle and lead to condylar and mandibular asymmetry in rats.     

基于micro-CT的下颌牙龈癌颌骨侵犯的影像学评估及分析

目的： 对下颌牙龈癌颌骨侵犯进行影像学评估及分析,为进一步优化手术方案及术后治疗提供影像学依据。方法： 选择60例下颌牙龈癌手术患者,分析术前曲面体层片、平扫和增强CT,并对其中符合条件的30例手术标本进行micro-CT三维重建,分析骨密度、骨小梁厚度、骨小梁分离度等相关参数。采用SPSS 22.0软件包对数据进行统计学分析。结果： 常规影像学检查,曲面体层片、平扫及增强CT均有不足,micro-CT三维重建可以准确区分骨松质及骨皮质,评估下颌骨侵犯的范围及程度,相应的数据参数分析癌边缘及癌中心与正常下颌骨组织的皮质骨骨密度显著降低（P<0.05）,骨小梁厚度显著变薄（P<0.05）,松质骨骨密度显著降低（P<0.05）。癌中心与正常下颌骨组织骨小梁分离度增加（P<0.05）。结论： 目前对于下颌牙龈癌的手术方案还存在争议,进一步提高CT检查精度,可能会为制定下颌牙龈癌手术方案提供更精确的指导。     

A histomorphological investigation of the effect of cyclosporin on trabecular bone of the rat mandibular condyle

The effect of cyclosporin A (CSA) on the condylar trabecular bone was evaluated by microscopy. Twenty, 5-week-old male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into a treated and a control group. Animals in the treated group received CSA, 15 mg/kg body weight, by gastric feeding daily for 4 weeks; controls received the vehicle only. Five animals from each group were killed at the end of weeks 2 and 4. After histological processing, 10 tissue sections from the mid-part of the mandibular condyle were examined. Generally, a histopathological osteopenia was observed around the condyle after CSA treatment, especially at the end of week 4. In the control animals, the trabecular bone volume steadily increased from weeks 2 to 4 (from 0.46±0.07 to 0.61±0.07 mm³/mm³). However, the bone volume was significantly less in the CSA group than in the control group at both times (0.33±0.02 vs 0.46±0.07 and 0.26±0.07 vs 0.61±0.07 mm³/mm³ for CSA vs control group at the end of weeks 2 and 4, respectively). Conversely, an increased marrow volume was observed in the CSA group at both these times (0.60±0.02 vs 0.42±0.08 and 0.71±0.06 vs 0.31±0.06 mm³/mm³ for CSA vs control group at the end of weeks 2 and 4, respectively). Decreases were also observed in trabecular thickness, osteoid seam width, osteoid volume and cortical bone width. Because trabecular bone mass, osteoid mass and cortical bone thickness all showed a decrease after CSA at both times, an inhibitory effect of CSA on trabecular bone formation in the mandibular condyle is proposed.     

Facial development disorders due to inhibition to endochondral ossification of mandibular condyle process caused by malnutrition

Objective:To analyze the effect of protein restriction on histomorphometric parameters of bone remodeling in mandibular condyle process and its possible influence in facial development in growing rats.Materials and Methods:Wistar rats weaned at the age of 21 days were assigned to one of the following groups: control (fed a regular hard diet ad libitum) and protein restricted (PR) (fed a hard diet lacking in protein ad libitum). The animals were euthanized on day 35 after the onset of the experiment. Mandibles were resected, fixed in 10% formalin, hemisected at the symphysis, and then radiographed in order to perform cephalometric studies of the condylar process length and the height of the lower alveolar process. Mandibles were then processed for light microscopy, and histomorphometric determinations were performed on histologic sections of the condylar process subchondral bone.Results:The PR group showed a significantly lower body weight than control group at the end of the experiment. The length of the condylar process was lower in the PR group; however, the diet used in this study did not affect the height of the lower alveolar process. The histomorphometric analysis showed that the PR group exhibited a statistically significant decrease in bone formation and bone volume in condylar process subchondral bone.Conclusion:Protein restriction inhibits bone formation and longitudinal growth in the mandibular condylar process. This result suggest that protein restriction can alter normal facial development.     

负载纳米羟磷灰石的结冷胶修复大鼠下颌骨缺损的效果评价

目的: 观察负载纳米羟磷灰石的结冷胶（GG/nHA）修复大鼠下颌骨缺损的效果。方法: 于16只SD大鼠下颌骨制备直径为5 mm的临界骨缺损,随机分为2组,实验组骨缺损区注入GG/nHA,对照组骨缺损区填充可吸收性明胶海绵。术后4周、8周处死大鼠,以Micro-CT定量分析骨组织愈合情况。苏木精-伊红（H-E）染色和马松（Masson）染色定性评估骨组织修复情况。采用GraphPad Prism 8.0软件包对数据进行统计学分析。结果: 制备的GG/nHA具有良好的可注射性,可经注射器推出至骨缺损区。术后4周和8周,实验组缺损区的骨生成量及骨体积分数（BV/TV）均显著高于对照组（P<0.05）。H-E染色和Masson染色均见实验组较对照组有更多新骨形成。结论: GG/nHA可以注射形式注入下颌骨缺损区,促进其愈合,有望成为微创修复口腔颌面部骨缺损的新型材料。     

髁突骨软骨瘤与髁突增生患者的CT表现特点分析

目的:比较下颌骨髁突骨软骨瘤和单侧下颌骨髁突增生的CT表现特点。方法:对2005—2010年上海交通大学医学院附属第九人民医院口腔颌面外科收治的下颌骨髁突骨软骨瘤11例和单侧下颌骨髁突增生8例患者的CT影像学资料进行评价,评价指标包括病变髁突大小、病变范围以及病变周围软硬组织改变。结果:11例下颌骨髁突骨软骨瘤病例CT显示肿瘤与病变髁突无明显分界(8/11)或与患侧髁突有蒂相连(3/11);肿瘤骨皮质及骨髓腔均与患侧髁突相续,瘤体表面均有特征性薄层软骨帽覆盖,瘤体外周密度通常高于中心;瘤体周围均有薄层软组织包绕。患侧颞骨关节面表面均有明显矿化,且因受瘤体压迫改建而较对侧平坦,患侧关节上、下腔间隙较对侧明显变窄;肿瘤生长方向不尽相同。8例单侧下颌骨髁突增生病例CT显示髁突颈部和(或)下颌支延长,髁突形状改变;增生的髁突外周骨皮质均有不同程度的骨化,硬化层厚度较对侧大;骨髓腔密度较不均匀。结论:CT检查能有效提供病变髁突及其周围软硬组织情况,为鉴别诊断下颌骨髁突骨软骨瘤和单侧下颌骨髁突增生提供良好的依据。     

Response of mandibular condyles of juvenile and adult rats to abnormal occlusion and subsequent exemption

ObjectiveThe adaptation capacities of the mandibular condyle in response to mechanical stimuli might be different between juveniles and adults, but has not been compared. This study aimed to investigate whether abnormal molar occlusion and subsequent molar extraction could lead to different remodeling responses in the mandibular condyles of juvenile and adult rats.MethodsAbnormal molar occlusion (AMO) was established in the 5- and 16-wk old rats by moving their maxillary left and mandibular right third molars distally. AMO was removed in the molar extraction group at 4 weeks but remained in the AMO group. All rats were sacrificed at 8 weeks. Micro-computed tomography, histomorphology, immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR were adopted to evaluate the remodeling of condylar subchondral bone.ResultsCondylar subchondral bone loss and increased osteoclastic activities were observed in both juvenile and adult AMO groups, while increased osteoblastic activities were only seen in the juvenile AMO group. Decreased bone mineral density, bone volume fraction and trabecular thickness, but increased trabecular separation, number and surface of osteoclasts and mRNA levels of TRAP, cathepsin-K, RANKL in the juvenile AMO group were all reversed after molar extraction (all P < 0.05). However, these parameters showed no difference between adult AMO and extraction groups (all P > 0.05).ConclusionsAbnormal molar occlusion led to degenerative remodeling in the mandibular condyles of both juvenile and adult rats, while exemption of abnormal occlusion caused significant rescue of the degenerative changes only in the juvenile rats.     

Chronological changes in the microstructure of bone during peri-implant healing: a microcomputed tomographic evaluation

Our objectives were to examine the titanium-bone interfaces chronologically and to clarify the process of osseointegration using microcomputed tomography (microCT). The mandibular premolars of 3 dogs were extracted and 12 weeks later 2 Straumann dental implants were installed in each quadrant. The microstructural changes at the bone-implant interface at the first, fourth, and eighth weeks after installation were evaluated by microCT and a 3-dimensional image was constructed. The microstructural measurements at the bone-implant interface, including the trabecular number (Tb.N), bone volume fraction (BV/TV), structure model index (SMI), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) and connectivity density (Conn.D), were measured. Experimental outcomes were analysed for correlations between time and microstructural variables of trabecular bone. Tb.N increased significantly during the eighth week compared with that during the first and fourth week (p = 0.001, 0.002). BV/TV increased generally with time and there were significant differences (p = 0.003) between each time group. While Tb.Sp decreased with time and changed significantly during the eighth week compared with that during the first week (p = 0.021), differences in SMI, Tb.Th and Conn.D did not differ significantly according to time of implant. The significant increase in the Tb.N and BV/TV during the eighth week after insertion of implants indicates that the formation of new bone before the eighth week is the key to osseointegration.     

不同方式处理犬下颌磨牙区即刻种植间隙的效果评价

目的: 探讨在犬下颌磨牙区即刻种植中,不同方式处理拔牙窝与种植体之间的间隙后的新骨形成情况。方法: 选择 6 条 1.5~2.0 岁的拉布拉多犬作为实验对象,在每条犬下颌骨中拔除两侧的第四前磨牙和第一磨牙,分别植入 4 颗牙种植体（Astra Tech^®,4.0 mm × 10 mm）。种植体和拔牙窝骨壁之间的近远中间隙分别进行3种处理,分为空白组（NN组）、胶质银明胶海绵（Gelatamp） 组（EN组）和 Gelatamp + 可吸收胶原膜（CM）组（EG 组）。术后12周收集标本,进行显微CT 扫描和组织学分析。采用SPSS 25.0软件包进行统计学分析。结果: 牙种植术后 12 周存活率为 100%。显微CT 扫描结果显示,新骨高度、骨矿物质密度（BMD）、骨体积分数 （BV/TV）、骨表面积骨体积比（BS/TV）、骨小梁厚度（Tb.Th）、骨小梁数（Tb.N）和骨小梁间距（Tb.Sp）等指标,组间无显著差异。组织学分析结果显示,新骨形成面积和种植体与骨接触面积（BIC）在组间无统计学差异。结论: 使用不同方式处理种植体与拔牙窝之间的间隙后的12周内,与空白对照组相比,单独放置 Gelatamp 或与 CM 联合使用,对种植体周围新骨形成、BIC、BMD、BV/TV、BS/TV、Tb.Th、Tb.N 及 Tb.Sp 等均无显著影响。     

Effects of interferon-gamma on bone remodeling during experimental tooth movement

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) on bone remodeling during orthodontic tooth movement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty adult male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly categorized into five groups. IFN-gamma was administered in three different doses (0.01, 0.02, and 0.05 microg/20 microL) and the remaining two groups served as control. Mandibular first molars were moved mesially by means of Ni-Ti closed coil springs in all groups. The results were evaluated histomorphometrically, and parameters of trabecular bone volume (BV/TV), trabecular bone number (Tr.N), and trabecular separation (Tr.Sep) were observed at the interradicular bone area of the mandibular first molars. RESULTS: Increases in BV/TV and Tr.N and decreases in Tr.Sep revealed the antiosteoclastic activity of IFN-gamma. CONCLUSION: IFN-gamma administration may be useful clinically for anchorage control.     

The three-dimensional cancellous bone architecture of the human mandibular condyle

In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that the cancellous bone of the mandibular condyle is inhomogeneous and anisotropic. For this purpose, 11 mandibular condyles from embalmed human cadavers were scanned in a micro-CT system. Within each condyle, 9 volumes of interest were selected from different mediolateral and supero-inferior regions. Several bone parameters were calculated to describe the morphology. It appeared that the cancellous bone of the condyle could be approximated by parallel plates. These plates were almost vertically oriented at an angle of 17 degrees relative to the sagittal plane, i.e., perpendicular to the condylar axis. In the superior regions of the condyle, the cancellous bone had the largest bone volume fraction (0.19), associated with the thickest trabeculae (0.11 mm), and the highest trabecular number (1.72 mm(-1)). The lowest bone volume fraction (0.15) was found more inferiorly. The degree of anisotropy increased from superior to inferior across the condyle. No mediolateral differences in bone morphology were found, but superiorly central regions contained more bone than peripheral regions. The plate-like trabeculae could indicate that the condyle is optimally adapted to sustain loads from all directions in a plane perpendicular to the condylar axis. The high bone mass and lower anisotropy in the superior regions could enable the condyle to sustain multiple load directions. Toward the collum, the trabeculae are more aligned. This could point to stresses acting predominantly in one direction.     

Murine TMJ loading causes increased proliferation and chondrocyte maturation

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of forced mouth opening on murine mandibular condylar head remodeling. We hypothesized that forced mouth opening would cause an anabolic response in the mandibular condylar cartilage. Six-week-old female C57BL/6 mice were divided into 3 groups: (1) control, (2) 0.25 N, and (3) 0.50 N of forced mouth opening. Gene expression, micro-CT, and proliferation were analyzed. 0.5 N of forced mouth opening caused a significant increase in mRNA expression of Pthrp, Sox9, and Collagen2a1, a significant increase in proliferation, and a significant increase in trabecular spacing in the subchondral bone, whereas 0.25 N of forced mouth opening did not cause any significant changes in any of the parameters examined. Forced mouth opening causes an increase in the expression of chondrocyte maturation markers and an increase in subchondral trabecular spacing.