The use of carrageenan for limiting the mandibular movement in rats: a preliminary experimental study.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to evaluate if the carrageenan may be used for limiting the mandibular movement.


METHODS
Eighteen adult male Wistar rats were used for the research, 20 microl of carrageenan (4%) was infiltrated in the extra articular region, in front of the condyle to induce fibrosis. The rats were divided into groups according to the time of euthanasia (7, 15 and 30 days). Maximal mouth opening (MMO), mandibular deviation, initial and final weights were recorded and evaluated. After the euthanasia, the specimens were submitted to histological study in order to classify the inflammatory process using scores.


RESULTS
The mean differences between initial and final MMO were 1.50 mm, being greatest at the 7 days evaluation and lowest at 30 days, and were not statistically significant at any time. No mandibular deviation was observed at any of the times of evaluation. The histological scores tended to increase with time of evaluation from 7 to 30 days, but without progression of the process.


CONCLUSIONS
The study model permitted the development of fibrosis in the extra-articular region in the majority of the animals.
Porto
Gabriela-Granja
GG
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
Vasconcelos
Belmiro-Cavalcanti-do Egito
BC
Silva-Junior
Valdemiro-Amaro
VA
Andrade
Emanuel-Sávio-de Souza
ES
D000818:Animals; D002351:Carrageenan / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D009068:Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D002351:Carrageenan