الفهرس 
• Temporomandibular joint of ratsOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 160 |  |  |
| | | from | 160 | | |
Abstract
Due to the known detrimental effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract, the use of Diclofenac Sodium (one of the NSAIDs) must be limited. Taurine, another suggested treatment, with previously demonstrated protective effects in some inflammatory conditions can be used for the treatment of arthritis.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the possible anti-arthritic effect of Taurine in comparison with Diclofenac on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of Albino rats where arthritis is induced by Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA).
Materials and methods: Forty male Albino rats weighing between 200-250 grams were divided into four groups, the control, the arthritic, the Diclofenac treated and the Taurine treated groups. In the arthritic, Diclofenac treated and Taurine treated groups, rats TMJs were injected once by CFA. In the Diclofenac treated group, rats were treated with Diclofenac Sodium daily starting from the day of CFA injection. In the Taurine treated group, rats were treated with Taurine daily starting from the day of CFA injection. All groups were kept for 21 days after CFA injection. Then, TMJs were dissected and processed to be stained with H&E, Tartarate Resistant Acid Phosphatase (TRAP) and immunohistochemically with Osteonectin antibody.
Results: Histological examination showed that the intimal cells of the synovial membrane in the arthritic group showed hyperplasia and hypertrophy and the subintima exhibited signs of inflammation. This inflamed synovium invaded the condylar bone. The articular surface of the temporal bone demonstrated absence of fibrous layer and the condyle showed decreased cartilaginous thickness. The temporal bone showed occasional osteoclasts and the condylar bone showed many osteoclasts that were confirmed by TRAP staining. Flattened osteoblasts were seen in H&E stained sections in both bones and Osteonectin immunohistochemical staining showed no positively stained osteoblasts in temporal bone while few positively stained osteoblasts were detected in the condyle. The intimal cells of the synovial membrane in the Diclofenac and Taurine treated groups showed hyperplasia and hypertrophy and decreased signs of inflammation in the subintima were detected. This inflamed synovium invaded the condylar bone. The articular surface of the temporal bone appeared smooth with areas of normal fibrous layer and areas of its partial loss. Condylar cartilaginous thickness appeared almost close to the control. In Diclofenac and Taurine treated groups, the temporal bone exhibited occasional osteoclasts and the condyle showed some osteoclasts that were confirmed by TRAP staining. In both groups, the presence of few plump osteoblasts in the temporal bone and some plump osteoblasts in the condyle in H&E stained sections was confirmed by Osteonectin immunohistochemical staining.
Conclusions: Treatment of CFA induced arthritis with Taurine was almost comparable to Diclofenac sodium in reducing signs of inflammation.