Characterization and opioid modulation of inflammatory temporomandibular joint pain in the rat

Experimental inflammation of the rat temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is commonly used to study trigeminal nociceptive processing. This study describes spontaneous pain-related behaviors following TMJ inflammation in the rat. The ability of preemptive systemic morphine to attenuate behaviors as well as immediate-early gene expression in the trigeminal nucleus is described.

Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats received an intra-articular injection of mustard oil (0% to 20%, 50 microL) and were observed for behavioral changes. Morphine sulfate (0 to 10 mg/kg SC) was given 30 minutes before mustard oil; this was reversed in one group with naltrexone hydrochloride (5 mg/kg SC). Two hours after injection rats were killed and perfused. Immunohistochemistry for the protein product of the immediate-early gene c-fos was performed, and brain stem sections including the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis were examined for positive nuclei.

Mustard oil inflammation of the rat TMJ induces dose-dependent, morphine-sensitive behaviors. Behaviors observed included excessive grooming of the region, a chewing-like behavior, and head shaking. Fos expression in the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis parallels changes in behaviors. Morphine dose dependently attenuates the number of behaviors, as well as Fos expression; this effect is reversed by the micro-opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone.

Mustard oil inflammation of the rat TMJ causes reliable behavioral changes, which may be quantified and, together with Fos expression, used to assess various experimental TMJ treatment modalities.