Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound stimulation for mandibular condyle osteoarthritis lesions in rats

Abstract

Objective

This study evaluated low-intensity pulsed ultrasound effects for temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis in adult rats.

Material And Methods

Osteoarthritis-like lesions were induced in 24 adult rats' temporomandibular joints with low-dose mono-iodoacetate injections. The rats were divided into four groups: control and mono-iodoacetate groups, injected with contrast media and mono-iodoacetate, respectively, at 12 weeks and observed until 20 weeks; and low-intensity pulsed ultrasound and mono-iodoacetate + low-intensity pulsed ultrasound groups, injected with contrast media and mono-iodoacetate, respectively, at 12 weeks with low-intensity pulsed ultrasound performed from 16–20 weeks. Condylar bone mineral density, bone mineral content, and bone volume were evaluated weekly with micro-computed tomography. Histological and immunohistochemical staining for matrix metalloproteinases-13 was performed at 20 weeks.

Results

At 20 weeks, the mono-iodoacetate + low-intensity pulsed ultrasound group showed significantly higher bone mineral density, bone mineral content, and bone volume than the mono-iodoacetate group; however, these values remained lower than those in the other two groups. On histological and immunohistochemical analysis, the chondrocytes were increased, and fewer matrix metalloproteinases-13 immunopositive cells were identified in the mono-iodoacetate + low-intensity pulsed ultrasound group than mono-iodoacetate group.

Conclusions

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound for 2 weeks may have therapeutic potential for treating temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis lesions.

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