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Response of the intermaxillary suture cartilage to alterations in masticatory function
1Department of Anatomy, Baylor College of Dentistry, Dallas, TX 75246.
The Anatomical Record
|April 1, 1988
Summary
The intermaxillary suture cartilage in rats is adaptable to biomechanical changes. Altering diet and incisor length significantly impacts its metabolism and morphology, indicating environmental sensitivity.
Area of Science:
- Craniofacial biology
- Developmental biology
- Biomedical engineering
Background:
- The intermaxillary suture cartilage in rats, similar to mandibular condylar cartilage, originates secondarily and persists into adulthood.
- While condylar cartilage is known to respond to biomechanical stimuli, the intermaxillary suture cartilage's response remains largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the metabolic and morphological responses of intermaxillary suture cartilage to altered occlusal loads in rats.
- To assess the plasticity of this cartilage under different dietary and incisal conditions.
Main Methods:
- Male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to four groups: soft diet, incisor clipped, combined treatment, and control.
- Intermaxillary suture tissues were analyzed using histological, histochemical, and biochemical methods.
- Measurements included Alcian blue staining, chondrocyte hypertrophy assessment, [35S]-sulfate incorporation for proteoglycan synthesis, and alkaline phosphatase activity.
Main Results:
- Reduced Alcian blue staining and chondrocyte hypertrophy were observed in soft diet and incisor-clipped groups.
- The combined incisor-clipped/soft diet group exhibited significantly reduced cartilage extent and hypertrophy.
- [35S]-sulfate incorporation was significantly decreased in all experimental groups, with the most pronounced reduction in the combined treatment group.
- Alkaline phosphatase activity was diminished in experimental groups, nearly absent in the combined treatment group.
Conclusions:
- Intermaxillary suture cartilage demonstrates significant plasticity in response to altered biomechanical environments.
- Changes in occlusal loading, induced by dietary modifications and incisor clipping, directly affect cartilage morphology and metabolism.
- These findings suggest that the intermaxillary suture cartilage's development and maintenance are influenced by mechanical stimuli.