• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.497-503
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to induce artificial arthritis on rabbit TMJ by injecting collagenase. Materials and Methods: An experimental animal model of arthritis induced by surgical method or intraarticular injection of chemical agent like LDH, papain, ketorolac. Surgical method is complex and needs a long time in inducing arthritis. Intra-articular injection of chemical agent like LDH, papain, ketorolac is simple. But chemical agent like LDH, papain, ketololac needs multiple injections to induce arthritis and mechanism inducing arthritis was known. Collagenase destroys helical domain of type II collagen in extracellular matrix produced by chondrocyte and then induces arthritis. We injected collagenase (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mg) into the temporomandibular joint of rabbit. In the control group saline was intra-articularly injected. The condylar cartilage, disk and synovia were histologically examined at 1, 2, 4, 6 weeks after the initiation of collagenase injections. Results: Four weeks after injection of 2.0 mg collagenase, we could see histologic change like arthritis. In other groups, we couldn't see arthritis-like change. Conclusion: In our study, we produce arthritis on temporomandibular joint of rabbit by using injection of collagenase in temporomandibular joint of rabbit. And this experimental osteoarthritis is a useful animal model.