title: Changes in the expression of aromatase, estrogen receptor α and β in mandibular condylar cartilage of rats induced by disordered occlusion.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Estrogens play an important role in modulating the morphology and function of temporomandibular joints (TMJs), which is suggested to act via estrogen receptors (ERs). The present study was to investigate the expression of aggrecan, collagen type II (Col II), Col X, aromatase, ERα and ERβ in degenerative changes of mandibular condylar cartilage.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty male and 40 female 8-week-old rats were enrolled in this study. In experimental groups, the disordered occlusion was created by moving the first molars mesially and the third ones distally. Immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR were performed at the end of the second or fourth week.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Degenerative changes, characterized by interrupted continuity of hypertrophic layer, pyknotic and eosinophilic lesion with few nuclei, areas filled with eosinophilic nuclei, were observed in more joints from female experimental groups than male ones. However, thickening changes in hypertrophic layer were only found in male experimental groups. The gene expression of Col II, Col X and aggrecan increased in 4-wk male experimental subgroup (both P < 0.01), but decreased in 2-wk and 4-wk female subgroups (P < 0.05). The gene expression of ERα decreased in 2-wk male and female experimental subgroups (both P < 0.01), however, that of ERβ increased except the 2-wk female experimental subgroup (all P < 0.01). The expression of aromatase decreased in both male and female experimental subgroups (all P<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mandibular condylar cartilage responses differently to the disordered occlusion in male and female rats. The levels of locally synthesized estrogen, ERα and ERβ may have limited attribution, if any, to the sex-specific cartilage response.
authors.affiliation: School of Stomatology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
authors.forename: Shibin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Xianghui
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jiao
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Meiqing
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001141:Aromatase / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D001141:Aromatase