METHODS: Sixty healthy adult rabbits were randomly assigned to the experimental and sham-operated control groups (n = 12). The experimental rabbits were subjected to surgical ADD in the right temporomandibular joints. The production of ER stress-related proteins C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), cleaved caspase-3, and caspase-12 in cartilage was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time PCR, and Western blot analysis.
RESULTS: Our results showed that the expression of CHOP, GRP78, cleaved caspase-3, and caspase-12 increased significantly along with degenerative changes in cartilage after ADD.
CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the ER stress pathway is activated in ADD cartilage and might promote the development of TMD.