Cyclooxygenase-2 in synovial tissue and fluid of dysfunctional temporomandibular joints with internal derangement.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene expression in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) synovial tissue and fluid from patients with internal derangement.


METHODS
Seventeen synovial tissue biopsy specimens and 16 synovial fluid samples were obtained from patients (1 male and 11 female) during arthroscopic TMJ surgery. The samples were frozen at -70 degrees C and, by using Northern and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis, the levels of COX-2 RNA in relation to beta-actin RNA message levels were determined.


RESULTS
COX-2 RNA message was detected in 16 of 17 synovial tissue samples (94%) and 12 of 16 synovial fluid samples (75%) by using beta-actin RNA levels in the same sample (either tissue or fluid) as an internal control. Samples were not quantified because of the same sample mass.


CONCLUSIONS
COX-2, an important inflammatory mediator, is present in the TMJ synovial tissue and fluid from patients with internal derangement. Therefore, COX-2 antagonists may be indicated in the treatment of TMJ arthralgia.
Quinn
J H
JH
LSU School of Dentistry, New Orleans, LA, USA.
Kent
J H
JH
Moise
A
A
Lukiw
W J
WJ
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000201:enzymology*; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000201:enzymology; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000201:enzymology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000201:enzymology*
D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases