Investigation of bone morphogenic protein levels in experimental osteoarthritis in temporomandibular joint

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic non-inflammatory disease that bolsters bone, cartilage and joint, and affects the tissues in TMJ as a result of disruption of the balance between normal construction and destruction of the joint. Bone morphogenic protein (KMP) is one of the growth factors in the body and it is known that its amounts vary especially in the areas where there is bone formation and destruction. It is thought that these protein levels also change in patients with Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis (OA). In this study, it is aimed to examine BMP-2, 4, 7 levels in serum and joint fluid by forming OA experimentally on rabbit joints. In this study, 13 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into two groups as 8 experimental groups and 5 control groups. Sodium mono iodoacetate was injected into the right temporomandibular joint of all rabbits in the experimental group for the purpose of creating an OA model as stated in the literature. Serum and synovial fluid samples were taken from all rabbits at 4 and 6 weeks after sodium mono iodoacetate injection. BMP levels in serum and synovial fluids that obtained at the end of the study were evaluated with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). As a result of the evaluation, synovial fluid BMP-2 levels were found to be significantly higher in the OA group compared to the 4th week (560.75 pg / mL) at the 6th week (678.13 pg / mL) (p = 0.008). Although BMP-7 levels were not statistically significant, it was observed that the OA group was lower than the control group. In the light of the data obtained, it is aimed to provide a different perspective to the diagnostic methodology and help the treatment protocol by examining the synovial fluid and serum BMP levels of patients with osteoarthritis in the future. Key words: Intraarticular injections, Cartilage, Osteoarthritis, Temporomandibular Joint.