Corticosteroid-induced enhanced mineralization in neonatal condylar cartilage

Neonatal mice were treated with triamcinolone hexacetonide and the cartilage of their mandibular condyle was studied biochemically and histochemically. Three days following the hormonal treatment the condylar protein content decreased significantly but a marked increase was noted in the tissue's calcium and phosphate. The condylar mineralization front extended up to the chondroblastic and proliferative zones. Triamcinolone arrest cartilage cell proliferation and enhanced an atypical hypertrophy of chondroblasts. One week following the hormonal treatment the condyle revealed clear signs of weight loss and changes in its size and form. Glucocorticoids enhance the mineralization of neonatal cartilage via: a direct effect upon chondrocytic metabolic and control systems (genom) and possibly also through an indirect adverse effect upon other organ systems.