Effect of Concentrated Growth Factors on the Repair of the Goat Temporomandibular Joint

Abstract

To explore the potential use of concentrated growth factor (CGF) in the treatment of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA). Surgical defects were created bilaterally on the condylar cartilage and bone to induce TMJ-OA in goats. CGF was applied to the right joints (CGF group) and physiologic saline was applied to the left joints (unrepaired group). There was a 1-month period of observation after the operation. These joint specimens were evaluated and compared based on gross appearance and histopathologic observations with hematoxylin and eosin (HE). The histopathologic scores of the condylar cartilage and repaired tissue, including cartilage, bone, and connective tissues, were compared between the 2 groups using SPSS 17.0 software. The unrepaired condylar surface was uneven, whereas the CGF-repaired condylar surface appeared smoother and was covered by cartilage-like tissue. HE staining of the unrepaired condyle showed exposed subchondral bone covered with rare connective tissue and an inflammatory reaction, whereas the CGF-repaired condyle showed tissue repair and regeneration, with bone regeneration and cartilage and a covering of connective tissue over the operated surface. The histologic score of the CGF group was significantly lower than that of the unrepaired group (P= .0127). The CGF group exhibited a significantly larger area of new cartilage and bone generation than the unrepaired group (P= .008 and P= .002, respectively). CGF might play an important role in processes of the molecular response to TMJ-OA. It can mediate inflammation, protect the subchondral bone, assist cell proliferation, and induce tissue repair in TMJ-OA.