title: [An experimental study on the changes of estrogen receptor in the condylar cartilages with DCC method in rats after functional mandibular protrusion].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the study was to evaluate the estrogen receptors (ER) in the condylar cartilages in relation to the hyperplasia, hypertrophy and functional adaptive remodelling after functional mandibular protrusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dextran-coated charcoal (DCC) method was performed to quantitively detect the level of ER. Fifty female rats of 4-week-old were selected and simulated functional appliances were used to guide their mandibles. The rats were sacrificed after 3 days, 1 week, 2 week, 3 week and 4 week.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed ER do exist in the condylar cartilages of the rats, with the highest levels during their actively proliferative period and the amount of ER was increased significantly after functional mandibular protrusion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is suggested that ER has a close relationship with the hyperplasia, hypertrophy of the condylar cartilages and plays a very important role in the adaptive remodelling mechanism after functional mandibular protrusion.
authors.affiliation: Beijing Hospital for Stomatology, Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100050.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Luo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002356:Cartilage / Q000737:chemistry*; D002606:Charcoal; D003911:Dextrans; D005260:Female; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000737:chemistry*; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D003911:Dextrans; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D002606:Charcoal