Measurement of nitric oxide in temporomandibular joint saline aspirates

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) saline aspirates, obtained from the upper joint space of 17 patients undergoing TMJ arthroscopy under general anaesthesia were assayed for the presence of nitrite, a stable metabolite of nitric oxide by a spectrophotographic method using the Griess reaction. Measurable levels of nitrites were found in the saline aspirates of both symptomatic and asymptomatic joints. There was no statistically significant difference between the two sides. The presence of nitric oxide metabolites in the asymptomatic joints has not been previously reported in the literature. This finding may represent a latent disease process in the symptomless joint.