kaolinite and Temporomandibular-Joint-Disorders

Response properties of nociceptors in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and surrounding area under experimental inflammation were investigated using an in vitro TMJ-nerve preparation in the rat. Nociceptive units (receptor and innervating nerve fiber) were classified into the following subtypes: Adelta-high-threshold mechanonociceptor (HTM), Adelta-polymodal nociceptor (POLY), C-HTM and C-POLY. In the inflamed joint, mechanical thresholds tended to be lower; however, the reaction to bradykinin was not identified as clearly as in control. Experimentally induced inflammation increased the proportion of heat-sensitive units and lowered heat threshold significantly. These results suggest that inflammation may sensitize nociceptors in the temporomandibular joint, and cause hyperalgesia and allodynia.

Topics: Action Potentials; Animals; Arthralgia; Arthritis; Bradykinin; Carrageenan; Disease Models, Animal; Hyperalgesia; Kaolin; Mechanoreceptors; Nerve Fibers, Myelinated; Nerve Fibers, Unmyelinated; Nociceptors; Pain Threshold; Physical Stimulation; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Sensory Receptor Cells; Temporomandibular Joint; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders