Temporomandibular joint
osteoarthritis (TMJOA) is characterized by chronic inflammatory degradation of mandibular condylar cartilage (MCC). Studies have found a positive correlation between
inflammation and
cyclooxygenase- (COX-) 2 in OA pathology. NF-κB is a crucial
transcription factor of inflammatory and immune responses in the cause of TMJOA pathology.
Resveratrol (RES) plays a critical role in antioxidation and anti-
inflammation. But, studies on the effects of RES on TMJOA are very limited. So, the purpose of this study is to investigate the
antioxidant and protective effects of RES against MCC degradation through downregulating COX-2/NF-κB expression. In vitro studies, the MCC cells were divided into three groups: the NC group, OA group, and RES group. The optimum dose of RES (10 μM) was determined. The TMJOA model of mice was created by injection of
collagenase. And mice were injected with RES (100 μg/10 μl) 3 times one week for 4 weeks in the RES group. The expressions of COX-2, P65, MMP1, MMP13, COL2, and ACAN were measured by RT-PCR. Morphological changes of MCC were studied with HE staining. The results showed that
inflammation could induce MCC degradation in vitro and vivo, while RES could reverse the degradation. Meanwhile, RES could downregulate COX-2/NF-κB/
MMP expression and increase cartilage markers in vitro and vivo studies. The results indicated that RES treatment had
antioxidant effects against chondrocyte apoptosis by downregulating the COX-2/NF-κB pathway in created TMJOA.