Vascular endothelial growth factor concentrations in synovial fluids of patients with symptomatic internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint.
BACKGROUND
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an inducer of angiogenesis and permeability of small blood vessels. We determined the concentrations of VEGF in synovial fluid of patients with symptomatic internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).


METHODS
Diluted synovial fluid was collected by a pumping procedure from 22 TMJs of patients with internal derangement and 10 control TMJs. VEGF concentration was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
The VEGF was detected in 14 of the 22 joints (64%) of patients with internal derangement, at a mean concentration of 67 pg/ml, but in only one control joint (12.5 pg/ml) (P = 0.004 for the difference in concentration). There was a significant correlation between VEGF concentration and total protein concentration in the synovial fluid (P = 0.002).


CONCLUSIONS
The increased concentration of VEGF in patients with symptomatic internal derangement suggests that this growth factor may be involved in the pathogenesis of this condition.
Sato
Jun
J
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kanazawa Medical University, Kahoku-gun, Ishikawa, Japan. jun-s@kanazawa.med.ac.jp
Segami
Natsuki
N
Kaneyama
Keiseki
K
Mashiyama
Yuichi
Y
Fujimura
Kazuma
K
Yoshitake
Yoshino
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001182:Arthroscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D019152:Paracentesis; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D019224:Temporomandibular Joint Disc / Q000473:pathology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood
D011506:Proteins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A