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Effects of experimentally induced inflammation on temporomandibular joint nociceptors in rats
Yoshinari Takeuchi1, Jorge L Zeredo, Rie Fujiyama
1Maxillofacial Surgery, Maxillofacial Reconstruction, Division of Maxillofacial and Neck Reconstruction, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8549, Japan.
Abstract:
Response properties of nociceptors in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and surrounding area under experimental inflammation were investigated using an in vitro TMJ-nerve preparation in the rat. Nociceptive units (receptor and innervating nerve fiber) were classified into the following subtypes: Adelta-high-threshold mechanonociceptor (HTM), Adelta-polymodal nociceptor (POLY), C-HTM and C-POLY. In the inflamed joint, mechanical thresholds tended to be lower; however, the reaction to bradykinin was not identified as clearly as in control. Experimentally induced inflammation increased the proportion of heat-sensitive units and lowered heat threshold significantly. These results suggest that inflammation may sensitize nociceptors in the temporomandibular joint, and cause hyperalgesia and allodynia.
