Genetic response in masseter muscle after orthognathic surgery in comparison with healthy controls - A Microarray...

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Genetics
• Muscle Physiology

Background:

• Orthognathic surgery corrects jaw deformities, but relapse occurs in one-third of patients.
• Mandibular displacement during surgery alters muscle forces, requiring adaptation.
• Understanding the genetic response of masticatory muscles is crucial for post-surgical outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the genetic expression profile of the masseter muscle six months after orthognathic surgery.
• To compare gene expression in patients with prognathic or retrognathic mandibles to healthy controls.
• To elucidate the genetic adaptation of the masseter muscle following surgical mandibular correction.

Main Methods:

• Microarray analysis of masseter muscle tissue samples.
• Comparison of gene expression between surgical patients (prognathia, retrognathia) and untreated controls.
• Quantitative analysis of differentially expressed genes.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in gene expression were observed in the masseter muscle of surgical patients compared to controls.
• Prognathic patients showed a greater reduction in gene expression differences compared to controls than retrognathic patients.
• Retrognathic patients exhibited an increase in gene expression differences, suggesting a delayed or insufficient adaptive response.

Conclusions:

• Surgical correction of mandibular deformities leads to significant genetic adaptation in the masseter muscle, supporting the 'form follows function' principle.
• The genetic response and adaptation capacity of the masseter muscle may differ between prognathic and retrognathic patients.
• In retrognathic patients, delayed adaptation or insufficient regenerative potential of the masseter muscle might contribute to post-surgical relapse.