Superoxide Dismutase Activity in Synovial Fluids in Patients With Temporomandibular Joint Internal Derangement
Purpose
To measure the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the synovial fluid of patients with temporomandibular joint internal derangement and to show the relationship between the activity of SOD and the severity of the disease.
Materials and Methods
Twenty patients with internal derangement were classified according to Wilkes by clinical radiological examinations. SOD activity was measured by the method based on nitrobluetetrazolium reduction rate.
Results
The activity of SOD seemed to be progressively decreased as the stage of the disease increased.
Conclusion
The reduction of SOD activity observed may result from insufficient scavenging capacity of free radicals. Further investigation and longitudinal studies are required to determine the role of antioxidants that scavenge the free radicals in temporomandibular joint disorders.
⁎Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Ankara, Ankara, Turkey.
†Assistant Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Kırıkkale, Kırıkkale, Turkey.
‡Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ankara, Ankara, Turkey.
§Professor, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Mayo Clinic, College of Medicine, Rochester, MN.
‖Resident, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Ankara, Ankara, Turkey.
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr Güven: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Ankara, Yeşilyurt sokak 24/15, A. Ayrancı 06690, Ankara, Turkey
ABSTRACT