The Effect of Injection of the Recombinant Human Growth Hormone Into Induced Temporomandibular Joint Arthritis (An Experimental Study)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:Recombinant human growth hormone (rHGH) plays a central role for several metabolic functions including remodeling of bone and cartilage differentiation. Local administration of growth hormone (GH) could be more reasonable due to its more specific effects and less systemic side effects. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate histological effects of intra-articular HGH injection in induced arthritis in rabbits temporomandibular joint (TMJ). MATERIALS AND METHODS:This study was conducted on 12 healthy adult white New Zealand rabbits. TMJ arthritis was induced by injecting Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) into TMJ bilaterally. The left side was considered as the study group and injected by rHGH into TMJ, while the right side was considered as the control group and sterile distilled water was injected into TMJ. RESULTS: The condylar cartilage appeared relatively thick & homogenous allover most of the condylar surface in the study group a mean ± SD= 825.92±61.09 µm while,the condylar cartilage showed marked decrease in cartilage thickness &disturbance in the osteochondral junction in control group a mean ± SD= 496.67 ±54.93 µm . CONCLUSIONS: From the current study, it can be concluded that the treatment of TMJ arthritis by rHGH leads to a better condition in regeneration of cartilage and bone.