[Influence of chronic unpredictable emotional stress on the ultrastructures of temporomandibular joint in rats].
OBJECTIVE
To study the influence of emotional stress on the ultrastructures of temporomandibular joint in rats.


METHODS
Sixteen male Wistar rats, aged 12 weeks, were divided into 2 groups randomly, experimental group and control group. Animal model of chronic unpredictable stress was established in the experimental group. After 6 weeks, all rats in both groups were killed and their condyles and articular discs were dissected, taken out and observed by scanning electron microscope.


RESULTS
Under scanning electron microscope, the surface gelatum of the condyles in experimental group were cracked, and collagen fibrils in disorder and broke, and deep layer collagen fibrils were exposed. The articular discs' surface gelatum were still integrated, but the gyri dispose were irregular. In control group, there were no such changes in condyles and articular discs.


CONCLUSIONS
The long-term emotional chronic unpredictable stress could induce the injuries of temporomandibular joint in rats in ultrastructure level.
Liang
Jun
J
Department of Stomatology, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100853, China.
Hu
Min
M
Han
Ye-hua
YH
Xiao
Hong-xi
HX
Zhang
Jia-li
JL
D000818:Animals; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000648:ultrastructure*