Correlation Between the Oxidative State of the Synovial Fluid and the Radiological Morphology of the Temporomandibular Joint in Patients with Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

Objective: To investigate the oxidative state of albumin in the serum and synovial fluid of patients with temporomandibular joint disorders, and to compare the results with people without temporomandibular joint disorders.Patients and Methods: Fifty two women with temporomandibular joint disorders and 9 asymptomatic female volunteers were enrolled. Synovial fluid was obtained by an injection/dilution method and analysed by high performance liquid chromatography. Three fractions of albumin were identified: human mercaptalbumin, human non-mercaptalbumin-1, and human non-mercaptalbumin-2, and were compared between patients with temporomandibular joint disorders and the control group. The group with temporomandibular joint disorders was subdivided into 3 groups based on the morphology of the temporomandibular joint.Results: One marker of oxidation (human non-mercaptalbumin-2) showed a significantly higher concentration in patients with internal derangement (temporomandibular joint disorder type III) than asymptomatic controls and patients with no internal derangement (temporomandibular joint disorder type II). No significant differences were noted in the serum values.Conclusion: Human non-mercaptalbumin-2 appears to correlate with temporomandibular joint disorders and morphologically affected condyles.